The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Lynden Township hosted a public meeting on April 21 to discuss findings from their recent investigation into well water and groundwater quality in the area. 

 

During the open house portion of the meeting, residents were invited to speak directly with state agency staff with questions or concerns, along with their individual well results and how they can manage their drinking water.

 

A short presentation was held at 6 p.m. to explain what was found during the investigation.

 

“In May 2015 two area wells showed elevated metal concentrations,” explained Jim Stockinger, project manager from the MPCA. “They were high enough that we were able to move [the case] into an environmental emergency which means we were able to get quicker results.”

 

The original samples weren’t collected by either agency, so the first thing that needed to be done was to resample. In order to get a better feel of how extensive the problem might be, the original two and 15 additional residential wells were sampled. The goal was to verify whether or not the original results were accurate. 

 

The primary focus was to look at the source of the water, the aquifer where the water derives from, not the wells themself, where water sits stagnant. The second focus was on identifying what potential sources had caused the emergency. Each sample was collected after running the tap closest to the well pump outlet for 20 minutes in order to obtain a sample that most closely represented the groundwater chemistry in the aquifer, and was not affected by plumbing-related materials.

 

The collected samples were tested in 10 different areas, including 27 metals. The data collected was compared to previous data from around the state.

 

“Our role was to evaluate the sample results to determine if there were any human health risks,” said Ginny Yingling from the MDH. “We couldn’t confirm the elevated results from the original two well samples, all were in ranges typical of this area.”

 

Two metal levels, manganese and lead (in two wells) were found to be high, however still within range of safe health levels. Elevated manganese can cause health impacts in infants, and lead in drinking water is concerning due to the number of ways people are already exposed to the metal.

 

A potential concern was higher levels of dissolved methane found in two wells samples where bubbles in the water had been noted. Methane, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon, is potentially flammable if the groundwater it’s contained in comes into contact with air and the methane escapes into a confined area. The landowners of the two impacted wells were advised to consult with a well contractor to vent the gas.

 

The well samples were also evaluated for other contaminants, including nitrates, ammonia and arsenic, all of which were found to be below safe drinking water standards.

 

Based on their conclusions, both agencies assured residents there is no above average drinking water risk in the township, and nothing unusual was occurring with wells in the area. 

 

“What’s occurring in area wells is naturally occurring in the system for this area, it’s not man-made,” said Steve Mikkelson, an information officer with MPCA. “This area of Central Minnesota has a number of these naturally occurring metals. 

 

Residents at the presentation expressed additional concerns regarding St. Cloud’s biosolids land application area. They were advised to attend the city’s Biosolids Management Program’s open house on May 5 at the St. Cloud Wastewater Treatment Facility.

 

Lynden Township Supervisor Jerry Finch addressed the crowd at the conclusion of the presentation, expressing the township’s concern with the water and health of its local citizens.

 

“The township board feels responsible for its residents,” he said. “We are here to help you in any way we can.”

 

Finch complimented and thanked the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health on their response to the township’s concerns with the drinking water in the area. 

 

MDH and MPCA recommend all residential wells be tested for total coliform bacteria on a yearly basis and for nitrates every two years. They should also be tested for lead, especially if the home was built before 1985 or the well was drilled before 1995.