Wellhead Protection Plan

Wellhead protection is a means of safeguarding public water supply wells by preventing contaminants from entering the area that contributes water to the well or well field over a period of time.  This program is now required in Minnesota since the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) implemented its Wellhead Protection Rules in November 1997.  The MDH initiated its Wellhead Protection Program in response to the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and MDH’s statutory authority is granted in the Minnesota Groundwater Protection Act of 1989.  This report is the culmination of the City of Lake City’s efforts to adopt wellhead protection planning for its water supply system.

 

The City of Lake City obtains its drinking water supply from four wells completed in an unconfined sand and gravel aquifer.  All the wells are within the city limits. Detailed descriptions of the geologic and hydro-geologic setting of the water supply system, the delineation of the Wellhead Protection Area and Drinking Water Supply Area, and the well and aquifer vulnerability assessments are presented in Wellhead Protection Plan.

LAKE CITY’S WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN

Lake City has completed the development of their Wellhead Protection Plan. This plan is designed to protect the groundwater aquifers that supply our municipal drinking water wells. The plan identifies potential sources of contamination that could pollute local groundwater wells and enter the community’s water supply. The ultimate goal of this plan is to help ensure that Lake City continues to provide its customers with a safe and abundant supply of clean drinking water for generations to come.

Wells can become polluted when substances that are harmful to human health get into the groundwater. Water from these wells can become dangerous to drink when the level of pollution rises above health standards.  Fortunately, Lake City’s water supply currently meets and exceeds all State and Federal drinking water standards. We regularly sample the water from the wells and provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report to residents. Contact Public Works for the most recent copy of this report.

The Wellhead Protection Plan can only be successful if residents play a role in helping to protect the aquifer. To help us implement our plan, you can do the following:

  • Help identify land uses and potential sources of contamination on your property (wells, tanks, septic systems, hazardous wastes, etc.).
  • Make sure any potential sources of contamination under your control meet local, state, and federal regulations. 
  • Seal any unused wells on your property, according to Minnesota Well Code. See the Minnesota Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/ for more information. Owners of active wells should refer to the Well Owner’s Handbook for proper construction, maintenance, and sampling information.
  • Use hazardous products only as directed and dispose of them properly when no longer needed. 
  • Practice proper turf management techniques and avoid over-fertilization of your lawns and gardens. Visit the Minnesota Department of Agricultural website for more information.
  • Identify whether your property contains a Class V injection well. Information about Class V wells can be found on the EPA’s website http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class5/index.cfm. If you have a Class V well on your property, make sure you follow all EPA rules regarding these wells.
  • Conserve water whenever possible. Lawn watering is one of the largest uses of municipal water during the summer months. 
  • Report spills (or illegal dumping) of hazardous wastes, fuels, or chemicals to law enforcement.

If you wish to view a copy of the Wellhead Protection Plan, contact Lake City Public Works at (651) 345-6854.

 

This City is updating it's wellhead protection plan, you may review the draft by downloading the document below:

Lake_City_Part_2_WHPP_Final_121620_(1).pdf