MINNESOTA: EDGERTON City Works with Landowners to Protect Ground Water Supply Background Location: Edgerton is a town of 1,119 located in Pipestone County, Minnesota. Water Supply: 1 public water system (ground water), including 1 community water system, no non-transient non-community systems, and no transient non-community systems. In addition, many Edgerton residences are served by private wells. Source Water Assessment: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) completed a source water assessment for Edgerton and distributed it to the public water system and the general public. Priority Contamination Threats The principle contaminant of concern regarding the water supply for the City of Edgerton is nitrate nitrogen. The nitrate nitrogen concentration in the water supply exceeds the drinking water standard and presents a health risk to children under the age of six months. The entry of disease organisms into the well water is of concern if the chlorination equipment used by the City does not operate properly. This is due to the highly sensitive nature of the aquifer used by the City and surrounding agricultural land use which may include the application of animal manure. Local Team and Developing the Protection Plan The City of Edgerton drafted a wellhead protection plan which was reviewed and approved by the MDH. The City is working with surrounding landowners to implement a strategy to reduce nitrate levels in the aquifer used by the City and to address future changes in land use within the wellhead protection area. Management Measures The Wellhead Protection Planning Committee functions as the Steering Committee and has begun to implement the plan. Members of the Steering Committee include elected town officials, the water plant operator, and concerned citizens. The City of Edgerton wellhead protection committee has developed a management plan to address the contamination sources. The City is currently working with area landowners to apply best management practices to reduce contaminant risks. Office of Water (4606M) 816F100018 January 2010 ------- Contingency Planning Measuring Program Results For further information, contact: Dennis Smit City of Edgerton Phone: (507) 442-43461 edgemn@frontiernet.net Office of Water (4606M) 816F100018 January 2010 ------- |