HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-11 UC Packetwater
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AGENDA
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2024
8:00 AM
ROLL CALL
II. CLOSED SESSION
1. Pursuant to Minn. Stat 13D.05 subd. 3(b) to discuss attorney -client privileged
communication related to the White Bear Lake litigation
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. August 10, 2023 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes
IV. OPEN FORUM — the open forum allows the public to address the commission on subjects which
are not a part of the meeting. Commission may take action, reply, orgive direction to staff. Please
limityour comments to 5 minutes or less.
V. NEW BUSINESS
3. Water main extension 2024 Street Project
4. PFAS Update
VI. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
5. Monthly Gallons Pumped
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
VIII. ADJOURN
6. Next meeting date is February 8, 2024
(499ateir
THE NIATNYLALE Of MINN EIOTA
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
August 10, 2023
8:00 A.M.
Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hudak, Hutter, Jensen, Whitcomb,
Councilmember Polehna
Absent: None
Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson, Public Works Director Sanders
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Possible approval of minutes of May 11, 2023 meeting
Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Whitcomb, to approve the minutes of the May
11, 2023 meeting. All in favor.
OPEN FORUM
There were no public comments.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE
Mr. Sanders gave an update on the following projects:
White Bear Lake Work Group
Stillwater is a member of a NE Metro work group created by the legislature to address water supply
and protection. Over the next four years the group will study options for conversion of ground water
supply to surface water supply. This is totally separate from the White Bear Lake mitigation case.
Commissioner Jensen asked if the existing surface water plan that included Stillwater, Oak Park
Heights and Bayport will be brought to the group, and Mr. Sanders said he will make it available.
White Bear Lake Mitigation Update
Last week, Attorney David Sienko voiced optimism that Stillwater may be dismissed from the
mitigation case, based on the estimated cost to relocate the City's well 20 feet and the assertion that it
would be a waste of public money. Mr. Sanders will update the Commission as information is
available.
Construction Project Update
Mr. Sanders reported that Mid Oaks Life Station is completed; the downtown manhole rehabilitation
project should clear up some of the I & I issues downtown; hydrant painting will start August 21; and
work has begun on the Lily Lake tower pressure release value. He added that staff is working with
TKDA to determine the best way to run the system when the water tower is shut down for two
Utilities Commission Meeting
August 10, 2023
months for painting. He and Mr. Benson will be meeting with TKDA on three projects: 1) a mandated
inventory of lead service pipes; 2) PFAs in the well system; 3) a study of the condition of the
watermains to prepare for future replacement projects. Mr. Sanders added that the Met Council gave
the preliminary estimate of next year's sewer rate increase, 2.5%.
Commissioner Jensen asked how the Chestnut Street project is going, and Mr. Sanders answered that
all underground work is done and the contractor is working on the traffic signal system, to be
followed by curb and sidewalk. Everything should be completed by September 8. Another downtown
project in 2024 will be replacement of all downtown lights.
Commissioner Hudak asked about telemetry security, and Mr. Sanders said staff is still getting quotes.
He added that in the next few weeks, the City will have to decide whether to participate in a 3M
settlement regarding PFAs, or forever chemicals.
Water Efficiency Rebate Update
Mr. Sanders stated that water efficiency rebates of $17,000 have been given as part of a $30,000 grant
from the Met Council.
Monthly Gallons Pumped
Mr. Benson provided the monthly gallons pumped in June: 120,461 million; July: 101,462 million.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
There were no Commissioner items.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting
was adjourned at 8:27 a.m. The next meeting date is September 14, 2023.
ATTEST:
Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director
Steve Speedling, Chair
Page 2 of 2
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' H E B: R 7 H P L A C E O F M I N N E S 0 I A
To: Utility Commission members
From: Shawn Sanders, Director of Public Works
Date: November 9, 2023
Subject: Propose Water main Connection (Abbot and Willard
DISCUSSION
Staff has begun the feasibility study for the 2024 Street Improvement Project, which includes
Abbot and Willard Street, west of Greeley Street. While researching the existing utilities, we
found that that there is no water main on Abbott south of Willard Street and Willard west of
Owens. Water for the properties on these two segments are served by two separate private
lines that are located in the street, and serve multiple properties. In all there are five properties
on the private service and one service that runs across another person's property. Generally, i-
is the City standard to have one service per household and be connected to a water main.
Since the streets will be torn up for street reconstruction, it is an opportune time to install new
water main on both of these streets to loop the water main and to eliminate the private lines in
the street. Looping the water main would require about 700 feet of new water main and
reconnection of the existing services. We estimate this cost to be $70,000. Staff is requesting
that funds be used from the Water Revenue Fund to pay for the water main looping and be
included as part of the 2024 Street Improvement Project.
ACTION REQUIRED
Staff is requesting the Commission consider the request to use water Revenue Funds to pay to
loop the water main at Abbot and Willard Street as part of the 2024 Street Improvement Project.
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' N F 9: R T H o i A i p O F n1 I N N L S o A
To: Utility Commission members
From: Shawn Sanders, Director of Public Works
Date: November 9, 2023
Subject: Well #6 Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFA's)
DISCUSSION
This past year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has been conducting quarterly
testing at Well # 6 for PFA's located on South Fourth Street. The past four test results show
the PFA's from this well is above the Health Risk Index (HRI) of 1.1 and the MDH now is
issuing a Health Risk Advisory for PFA's at Well #6. In April the City was informed by the MDH
of the earlier results from testing and that that time the well not been in operation.
Staff will be working with MDH and our consultants in sending out messaging regarding this
Advisory and looking in to options to get the well operational again.
ACTION REQUIRED
No action Required at this time
MDEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH
Protecting, Maintaining and Improving the Health of All Minnesotans
October 31, 2023
Stillwater City Council
c/o Clerk
216 Fourth Street N
Stillwater, MN 55082
Subject: Health Risk Advisory for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Stillwater Drinking Water
System (PWSID# 1820024)
Dear Council Members:
This letter is to notify you that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is issuing a Health Risk Advisory for PFAS at
Well #6.
MDH recommends that the city of Stillwater notify its consumers about PFAS in their drinking water supply. It is
important that people consuming the water be informed about any potential health risks and actions they can take to
reduce exposure to PFAS from their drinking water, as well as any actions the water system is taking. We encourage the
water system to lead this messaging.
In addition, MDH recommends that the city of Stillwater plan for and take action to reduce exposure to PFAS to a
Health Risk Index (HRI) of 1.0 or below in the drinking water supply. An HRI of 1.0 and below represents a safe level
where health effects are unlikely to occur. MDH recommends public health actions once the HRI is 1.1 or greater.
More information about the HRI and how it is calculated is provided in this letter.
Sample Results
The results for the most recent PFAS samples collected from Well #6 Entry Point and analyzed by EPA Method 533 are
shown in the table below. The running annual average level of PFAS at Well #6 exceeds an HRI of 1.0, so MDH is issuing
this Health Risk Advisory.
Stillwater Well #6 Entry Point Sample Results
Collection PFBS PFBA PFHxS PFHxA PFOS PFOA Running
Date (ng/L) (ng/L) (ng/L) (ng/L) (ng/L) (ng/L) HRI Avg. HRI
8/16/2023 2.2 100 8.5 1.9 14 2.7 1.2 1.3
4/27/2023 2.5 100 9.3 2.3 15 3.4 1.3 1.3
3/7/2023 2.4 120 9.5 2.1 15 3.1 1.3 1.3
11/22/2022 2.4 120 8.5 2.1 14 3.4 1.3 -
ng/L = nanograms per liter
Bold means that the concentration exceeds a Health Based Value, Health Risk Limit or Health Risk Index
An equal opportunity employer.
HRI and Health Effects for PFAS
MDH has developed health -based guidance values for some PFAS found in drinking water. These guidance values are set
at levels which pose little or no health risk to people, including the most sensitive populations. Although the potential
for harm increases as the level of a contaminant increases above the guidance value, health scientists may not be able to
precisely estimate the change in risk. These guidance values are designed to be protective for exposures over short
periods of time as well as over a lifetime. The table below shows the current guidance values for PFAS that MDH uses to
evaluate drinking water samples.
Current MDH Guidance Values
Name of PFAS Guidance Value (ng/L)
Perfluorobutane Sulfonate (PFBS)
100
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
7000
Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS)
47
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
200
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
15
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
35
Because each of these PFAS chemicals can cause similar types of adverse health effects, Minnesota Rules part 4717.7880
requires that when multiple PFAS are found in drinking water, an HRI must be calculated to determine if the combined
chemicals increase risk for possible health impacts. Information about how the HRI is calculated is attached and can also
be found in Minnesota Rules part 4717.7880. An HRI greater than 1.0 indicates that although a single chemical may not
pose a health risk alone, the combined chemicals may indicate an increased risk for possible health impacts.
For More Information
As a standard practice, MDH notifies the governor's office and area legislators when health risk advisory letters are
issued. In addition, MDH is sending a copy of this letter to your local public health department.
If you have any questions about health concerns or would like more information about PFAS, contact the MDH Health
Risk Assessment Unit at 651-201-4899 or health.risk@state.mn.us. For technical assistance related to the drinking water
system, please contact Lucas Martin, District Engineer, at 651-201-4144 or lucas.martin@state.mn.us. More information
about PFAS is also available on our website at: MDH PFAS Website
(https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfcs.htmi)
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Hogan
Director, Environmental Health Division
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
www.health.state.mn.us
cc: Kirk Koudelka, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Pam Anderson, Interim Division Director, Remediation Division, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
David Brummel, Director, Washington County Public Health & Environment
Enclosure: Health Risk Index Calculation
Health Risk Index Calculation
Groundwater can contain multiple chemicals. Combinations of chemicals may cause health effects that are different
from the health effects of each individual chemical. MDH evaluates the health effects of groups of chemicals using the
following process:
• Chemicals that share a common health endpoint (such as change to the liver, kidney, or other organ) are evaluated
together. If a chemical has no known health effect, it is not included in the group.
For each chemical in the group, MDH calculates a ratio of the groundwater concentration of the chemical to the
health -based guidance value (HBV) appropriate to the length of exposure for that chemical. MDH adds the ratios for
all of the chemicals in the group to create a number called a Health Risk Index (HRI).
• An HRI over one indicates a possible health risk from the group of chemicals.
Below is an example of how MDH calculates the HRI for mixtures of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for which we have
health -based guidance values:
HRI = CPF•OS + CPFOA + CPFBS + CPFI3A + CPF[IxS + CPF11xA
PFOS HBV PFOA HBV PFBS FIRV PFBA 1IBV PFHxS fIRV PFHxA HBV
CN = the concentration of N chemical that has been detected in groundwater
MDH uses procedures stated in the Health Risk Limits Rules for Groundwater for evaluating exposure to multiple
chemicals. This process is based on an additive model. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses this model as a
reasonable approach given what is unknown about how chemicals interact in the body.
Significant Digits and Rounding
When health -based guidance values are derived, the calculations include safety factors which may reduce the value by
hundreds or thousands of times. Therefore, the final HRI represents a "safe dose" where health effects are unlikely to
occur.
In general, MDH calculates HRIs to one significant digit. Since HBVs typically have a single significant digit, rounding the
HRI to more than one significant digit introduces false precision and can give an inaccurate depiction of risk.
For risk management decisions, it can be useful to include an additional significant figure (e.g. decimal point) for HRIs at
or slightly above 1. This additional significant figure can be used by risk managers to inform potential actions rather than
as a direct indicator of health risk. In these circumstances, MDH uses the following to determine if the HRI is above 1 and
further evaluation may be warranted:
• HRI of 1-1.04 rounds down to 1.0 HRI of 1.05-1.09 rounds up to 1.1
When the HRI is below 1.1, the health risk is minimal. MDH recommends close monitoring of the situation when an HRI
is just below or just above 1 and considering public health actions once the HRI is 1.1 or greater. Although the risk at 1.1
is also unlikely to result in health effects, this value represents a reasonable action level for risk managers to use for
further evaluation and decision -making.
Calculating an HRI is just the first step in assessing whether a potential risk may need to be addressed. Depending on the
situation, further actions may be necessary to ensure the prolonged safety of the water, such as increased monitoring or
planning to find a new water source. While the HRI is not a precise predictor of risk, it is one of many tools intended to
help risk assessors and managers make more health protective decisions when there are multiple chemicals involved
and the health consequences, if any, may not be clear.
3
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Million Gallons Pumped
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
Monthly
Totals
45271
47827
54174
47578
43126
44488
43203
40179
42187
42360
50969
42335
41409
39016
39417
37754
44082
43799
55676
47276
43148
41908
41176
39817
484841
45235
52580
45808
44003
41587
412481
40316
65753
56415
77250
57949
61400
66124
55346
66143
82031
84085
77502
78308
74342
112800
91793
120461
99063
93342
89533
78536
81984
110149
111197
101462
78478
75439
99896
78626
87645
93628
89626
99966
56973
74893
67085
61054
71455
64168
87366
86614
46825
49115
48481
50054
52576
49781
59028
46495
401351
41620
43112
43786
41754
40311
37840
38504
492301
52404
46710
44426
42857
41322
405691
39214
Total 698512 706534 762968 675736 685699 745282 737809 756925
Jan -Dec 698512 706534 762968 675736 685699 745282 737809 756925
DNR
Permited Amount
865,000,000 MGY