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<br />DNR recently stated that they used state of the art groundwater flow models for White Bear Lake <br />and found that the levels of the lake would be sustainable. He believed that it would be crazy for <br />Ramsey to study an expensive way to obtain lower quality, more expensive water, and therefore <br />he would not support this action. He stated that he also does not support anything that brings the <br />Metropolitan Council into Ramsey. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked if there is a cost to the City to have the study completed. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby confirmed that the only cost to the City would be the staff time used. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked if there is a known length of time before there would be issues <br />with the aquifer. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby replied that there is no known timeline. He stated that as far as staff can <br />tell the system is operating fine. He noted that before another well could be drilled, a study <br />would need to be done to determine the best locations. He confirmed that there are no known <br />issues with the aquifer at this time. He stated that this would allow the City to look at a more <br />sustainable water supply source that recharges more quickly. He stated that the City has had <br />these discussions with the DNR and Metropolitan Council and even if the City chose to move <br />forward with surface water, groundwater could be used as a backup. <br /> <br />Councilmember Shryock stated that Ramsey only has one aquifer available and asked how <br />unique that is in the metro area. She asked the type of information that would be provided <br />through the study. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby replied that the study would look at the alternatives and options for this <br />area for surface water supply. He stated that it would explore the feasibility of a surface water <br />supply, plant and potential cost. He was unsure of the number of communities that only have <br />one aquifer available to draw from. He stated that there are roughly seven or eight aquifers <br />available to different communities in the metro area because of the different depths. He stated <br />that there is one more aquifer below the aquifer Ramsey uses, but Ramsey is not allowed to use <br />that aquifer. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau asked if the adjacent communities in Anoka County are also <br />accessing the same aquifer that Ramsey utilizes. <br /> <br />City Engineer Westby replied that many other communities have access to the same aquifer that <br />Ramsey uses, but noted that some of those communities have access to additional aquifers. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that it was his recollection that the region is worried about the <br />growth in the region and how that will affect the aquifer in the future, rather than the current <br />demand. He stated that the greatest area of recharge is within the Ramsey area and therefore <br />there was concern on how to meet the recharge demand at a rate that will equal the rate of use in <br />the future. <br /> <br />City Council / October 23, 2018 <br />Page 9 of 13 <br /> <br />