Ramsey Resident - 2004 - May/June

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WOMEOWNER SEPTIC SYSTEM CARE CLASSES Are you a homeowner? Are you interested in saving money? Would you lil(e to protect your family's environment, and the natural environment? Do you have a septic system? Homeowners wanting to better understand, operate and maintain their septic systems will want to attend a Septic System Care program being presented by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Hear about water saving ideas, find out if you should be using additives and get your questions answered. This 2-hour program will be held at the following location: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Bunker Hills Activities Center 550 Bunker Lal(e Blvd NW Andover 55304 One-week advance registration is required to insure receiving program materials. Pre - register at: www.extension.umn.edu/ county/anoka and look under hot topics or you may call the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Anoka County at (763) 755-1280. Program materials are covered by an Anoka County Ag Preserves Grant. HEAD START Anoka County Head Start is looking for children for our available preschool program. Head Start continues to be a free comprehensive preschool program for lower income families in our community. We offer a variety of program options and services to parents. If you have any questions regard our programs, please contact Anoka County Head Start Administrative Office at 763-783-4300. ~ CHILDREN OF HOPE ~ ~ PRESCHOOL ~ ~ Children of Hope Preschool is now registering for Fall 2004. Children of Hope admits children of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin. Call 763-753-2057 for more information. Drinking Water Article Continued From Page 8 Agency's Safe Drinl(ing Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. As this report documents, Ramsey's water supply is of very high quality well water. Through prudent land use practices and resident awareness about potential contamination sources (such as unauthorized use of hydrants) we can preserve our pure drinking water indefinitely. Responsible use of irrigation systems will also insure that the city will be able to meet water demands - and at an economical cost. Your involvement in these matters is important and necessary. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as a person with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/ AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. MORE ABOUT RAMSEY'S WATER UTILITy....... W ATER-.QUALITY The City's existing well's water quality currently meets all of the Safe Drinl(ing Water Act (SDWA) maximum contaminant limits (MCL's). These limits are set to protect the public from any health risl(s that may be found in water supplies. The SDWA also established secondary limits, which recommend water quality parameters, that although not health risks, relate to water quality of typical consumer uses, such as staining or taste and odor problems. The secondary limits of concern to the City are the iron and manganese levels of 0.30 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively. Both iron and manganese, although not health risks, can cause staining of laundry and plumbing fixtures and may cause metallic taste. EXISTING_WATER TREATMENT Current treatment consists only of the addition of chlorine, fluoride, and polyphosphate at each pumphouse. Chlorine is added as a preventive measure, acting as a disinfectant to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria within the distribution system should contamination ever occur. Fluoride is added for the purpose of reducing tooth decay as prescribed by the State of Minnesota. The addition of polyphosphate reduces the amount of iron in the water which reduces rust staining problems. FUTURE WATER TREATMENT The City has a number of options regarding potential water treatment facilities. Since its water supply does not violate any of the MCL's set by the SDWA, the City is not required to implement any greater degree of treatment than is currently practiced. The SDWA recommends, but does not require, that communities meet these secondary standards, which in Ramsey's case would involve treating for iron and manganese removal. The City is presently evaluating the need and timeline for an iron and manganese removal facility. Continued on Page 12 I've learned. . . That life if like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.