|
St. Paul, Minn.--Groundwater contamination is a growing concern that should be on everyone’s radar, according to scientists at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Three out of 4 Minnesotans get their drinking water from groundwater sources. However, unlike our lakes, rivers, and streams, groundwater is largely out of sight.
Up to 60% of groundwater monitoring wells sampled in central Minnesota are contaminated with nitrate well beyond the safe drinking water standard. Drinking water contaminated with nitrate can lead to illnesses such as Blue Baby Syndrome, a fatal blood disorder in infants.
Nitrate enters groundwater from sources like animal manure and agricultural fertilizers. Some of the affected cities include Becker, Clear Lake, Cold Spring, Hastings, Goodhue, Adrian and Park Rapids. City officials in those areas have explored treatment options, including distributing bottled water to residents, drilling new wells, and building new reverse-osmosis water treatment plants. Many small cities are spending millions to address the problem.
The Groundwater Protection Recommendations report highlights the current state of Minnesota’s groundwater and provides recommendations for ways to reduce and prevent groundwater contamination. Minnesota lawmakers requested the report during the 2013 legislative session.
“This report underscores the urgent need to ensure that all Minnesotans have clean water," said Governor Mark Dayton. "I look forward to discussing this report, and our state's serious water quality challenges, at the Governor's Water Summit this weekend.”
Some Minnesota cities have already experienced the cost burden of treating contaminated groundwater. A 2014 Drinking Water report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) put cost estimates for treating contaminated drinking water in Minnesota in the billions of dollars. The estimated cost for cleaning up contaminated water in Hastings was a staggering 9 million dollars; estimated costs for Park Rapids were upwards of 11 million dollars.
“Groundwater is one of our most precious resources. This report is another warning indicator about our water quality challenges,” said MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine. “We know that prevention is key. It costs between 10 to 30 times more to fix contaminated groundwater than to prevent contamination in the first place.”
Many harmful groundwater contaminants are caused by human activity. Those contaminants come from sources like urban runoff, road de-icing salt, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, viruses, and agricultural practices.
One contaminant, chloride, enters Minnesota’s groundwater from salt use during winter. While chloride is not believed to be very toxic to humans, high concentrations give drinking water a taste many people dislike. Additionally, contaminated groundwater can make its way to lakes and streams, harming fish and other aquatic life. Scientists recommend reducing the amount of road salt used during the winter months. Many local governments have already decreased their use of road salt, but more work needs to be done to reduce use on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks.
The report also includes information about naturally-occurring contaminants like arsenic, manganese and radium. Long term exposure to these can contribute to illnesses such as bladder, liver, and prostate cancer. Infants are also at risk. For example, infants relying on powdered formula mixed with drinking water that contains high concentrations of manganese are at risk of developing neurological problems.
The MPCA, in collaboration with other state agencies that share groundwater responsibilities, provided 30 recommendations that will aid in protecting Minnesota’s groundwater. One recommendation includes continuing to fund programs that support clean and safe groundwater, like MPCA’s Superfund Program. Another recommendation in the report calls for more research to better understand the impacts of contaminants on human health, especially for newer contaminants of concern like pharmaceuticals and antibiotics.
The Governor’s Water Summit in St. Paul on Saturday, February 27th will focus public attention on the serious challenges facing Minnesota’s water supplies, including groundwater. The Groundwater Protection Recommendations report is available on the MPCA's website.
Broadcast version
Scientists from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency say groundwater contamination is a growing concern for the state. Three out of four Minnesotans get their drinking water from groundwater sources, and up to sixty percent of groundwater wells sampled in central Minnesota are contaminated with nitrate in excess of safe drinking water standards. Drinking contaminated water can lead to illnesses like Blue Baby Syndrome, a fatal blood disorder in infants.
A new report by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency highlights contaminants like nitrate, road de-icing salt, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals, and provides recommendations for preventing further contamination.
The report is available on the M-P-C-A website.
###
The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
|
