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Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 52 • Industrial Sites – There are a number of industrial sites within the county that have the potential to release pollutants into water sources due to chemical runoff, wastewater discharges, accidental spills/leaks, stormwater runoff, airborne contaminants, and poor waste disposal practices. • Landfills – In addition to the Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center, a number of landfills and waste management facilities handle municipal solid waste, construction debris, and other types of waste with the potential to impact water sources. Some former sites are now currently closed but continue to be monitored. 3.15.3 EXTENT The extent of infrastructure failure can vary widely due to several factors including the scale of the incident, the affected location, and the resilience of the infrastructure. • Transportation incidents – can cause localized disruptions, safety risks, and economic impacts. • Electrical/Fuel Shortages – widespread outages can affect homes, businesses, and critical services, creating economic impacts and public health and safety concerns. • Supply chain disruptions – can have cascading effects across any number of industries, leading to shortages of goods, increased prices, and economic instability. Delays in the delivery of raw materials can affect manufacturing processes and operations. • Water contamination – can have significant health risks, short- and long-term environmental impacts, and costly economic impacts. 3.15.4 HISTORY Ramsey County has experienced various infrastructure failures over the years, significantly impacting the community, local economy, and the environment. • Transportation incidents – the most notable transportation accident in Minnesota history was the I-35W Bridge Collapse in 2007. While the event occurred in Minneapolis, it significantly impacted the broader Twin Cities area, including Ramsey County. • Electrical/Fuel Shortages – Severe winter storms have caused widespread power outages over the year, impacting homes, business, and critical infrastructure. • Supply chain disruptions – COVID-19 caused global and local supply chain disruptions, including in Ramsey County. Additionally, significant floods in the 1960, and most recently 2024, disrupted transportation routes and logistics. • Water contamination – In 2017, elevated levels of lead were detected in drinking water in sections of Saint Paul, prompting a response to improve water safety measures. 3.15.5 PROBABILITY The overall probability of infrastructure failures in Ramsey County is likely moderate, with some high risk during extreme weather events. The most likely causes of such failures include severe winter weather, flooding, and other weather-related events. Aging transportation infrastructure, such as road and