ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says that drinking water in Minnesota is in good shape, but that residents must be prepared to combat new challenges going forward.
A large section of the report is dedicated to some “could it happen here” scenarios relative to cities such as Flint, Michigan which have endured drinking water crises.
Of this $7.4 billion will be needed for Minnesota drinking water plants over the next 20 years.
“Minnesota water is safe to drink thanks to the work of many at the state and local levels.
As threats to our water intensify, we can’t afford to get complacent,” MDH Commissioner Ed Ehlinger said in a press release.
“Aging infrastructure, increasing levels of contaminants and new knowledge about what is in our water threaten our water quality and quantity.
We must continue our work with property owners, communities, other state agencies and additional partners to ensure all Minnesotans have safe and abundant drinking water.” Water contamination by harmful algae blooms is unlikely in Minnesota.
Each of the last four years have seen this goal eclipsed, and 99.4 percent of Minnesotans had access to water meeting those standards.
Of systems that tested negatively in Minnesota in 2016, 31 community systems tested positive for bacterial contamination, one exceeded the standards for nitrate levels, six for arsenic levels, six for naturally occurring radioactive chemicals, and six for lead levels.
MDH is holding a series of ten townhalls on water quality as part of Gov.