State report finds little contamination in water supplies
Minnesota health officials say annual tests of community drinking water supplies in the state show little evidence of contamination.
The Minnesota Department of Health tested 957 drinking water supply systems last year, including more than 700 city water systems.
Drinking water is tested for bacteria, nitrates and other inorganic chemicals, radiological elements and up to 118 industrial chemicals and pesticides.
According to the report, 14 community and municipal water systems had detectable levels of coliform bacteria, including municipal systems in Cleveland, Dalton, Dumont, Floodwood, Kasota, Lake City, Milan, and Otsego. Those systems are routinely disinfected, flushed and retested.
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Thirteen community water systems exceeded the standard for arsenic, including municipal systems in Buffalo Lake, Dalton, Dilworth, Dumont, Elizabeth, Lake Lillian, McIntosh, Norcross, and Stewart.
Nineteen had too much radium, including municipal systems in Anoka, Brook Park, Claremont, East Bethel, Glenville, Goodview, Hinckley, Isanti, LaCrescent, Lewiston, Lonsdale, Medford, Pipestone, Rushford Village, St. Louis Park, Spring Lake Park, and Watson.
Officials have notified residents in those communities, but have not issued consumption restrictions.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)