Groundwater – East Metro Water

Addressing the groundwater challenges of today and tomorrow

By: angiehongmn October 9, 2023

Groundwaterfeatured, groundwater, Washington County, water conservation1 Comment

Over the past ten years, Washington County has focused on inter-agency collaboration for regional issues, as well as implementing local programs to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and promote water efficiency. Now, they’re looking ahead toward future challenges.

Searching for treasure and coming up nettle

By: angiehongmn September 5, 2023September 5, 2023

Groundwater, Outdoor Adventuresfeatured, fossils, groundwater, rocks, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

In Chisago and Washington Counties, 100% of the water we drink comes from groundwater. This beautifully designed natural system provides us with a steady supply of pure, clean drinking water that is filtered by layers of gravel, sand and soil. Unfortunately, however, we’re beginning to see elevated levels of nitrate from fertilizer and chloride from road salt and water softener salt in the groundwater that people are drinking.

Even with rain, lawns remain brown

By: angiehongmn June 30, 2023June 28, 2023

Groundwater, Yards and Landscapingbee lawn, drought, featured, lawns, native plantsLeave a Comment

Lawn irrigation creates the largest demand from municipal water supplies during the summer.

What can you do to keep your yard looking good, without draining the water supplies we all depend on?

New technology coming from Australia to fight PFAS “forever foam”

By: angiehongmn November 12, 2022

Groundwater, Keeping water cleanfeatured, fish consumption advisory, groundwater contamination, PFAS, pfos, science, technology3 Comments

Funds from the $850 million settlement between 3M and the State of Minnesota will be used to purchase, import, and operate the two systems.

What’s in the water you drink?

By: angiehongmn July 28, 2022

Groundwaterchloride pollution, drinking water, featured, groundwater, nitrates, wells2 Comments

Free well water testing clinic – Aug. 18-19 at Scandia Community Center

Turning Stormwater into a Resource at Applewood Hills

By: angiehongmn March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

Groundwater, Local Achievements, Water ConservationApplewood Hills Golf Course, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, golf, stormwater reuse, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Washington County is working with the Brown’s Creek Watershed District and Applewood Hills Golf Course to design a stormwater reuse system that will collect runoff from Hwy 36 and Manning Ave. and use it for golf course irrigation. The project will reduce groundwater pumping by 7 million gallons per year and provide 30% of the irrigation needs for Applewood Hills.

Using rain barrels to save water and money

By: angiehongmn March 3, 2022

Groundwater, Water Conservationfeatured, rain barrels, stormwater reuse, water conservationLeave a Comment

Rain barrels are a simple and inexpensive way to capture rainwater from your rooftop that would otherwise go to waste.

Adulting 101: Checking for water leaks in your home

By: angiehongmn January 6, 2022January 5, 2022

Groundwater, Water Conservationfeatured, fixing leaks, home improvement, water conservationLeave a Comment

According to the U.S. EPA, the average American household wastes 10,000 gallons of water per year, purely due to leaking toilets, sinks, and sprinkler systems.

Fossils in limestone from Lilydale brickyards

Fossils, glaciers, and the water we drink

By: angiehongmn December 2, 2021

Groundwateraquifers, featured, fossils, geology, groundwater, Minnesota, Mississippi River, St. Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Groundwater provides 100 percent of the drinking water for people in Washington County and 70 percent of the drinking water in Minnesota.

PFAS contamination works its way to the St. Croix River

By: angiehongmn November 11, 2021November 10, 2021

Groundwater, Keeping water clean3M, drinking water, featured, fish consumption advisory, fishing, groundwater contamination, PFAS, St Croix RiverLeave a Comment

Six water bodies in Washington County will likely be added to the state’s impaired waters list due to perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), also known as the “forever chemical.” The affected waters include Tanners Lake (Oakdale), Eagle Point wetland and H.J. Brown Pond (Lake Elmo Park Reserve), Clear Lake (City of Forest Lake) and the St. Croix River/Lake St. Croix from Taylors Falls to Prescott.