2025 Vol 19, Issue 3 June Gem Lake News

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Gem Lake News Page 2 of 8 Well Testing/Future Municipal Water Report for Gem Lake (continued from page 1) The State of Minnesota has stringent standards for drinking water and considers one part per billion to be contaminated, which is roughly equivalent to a drop of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool. It is important to note that the MPCA once again stressed at this meeting that although the 1,4 dioxane is considered a long-term problem for drinking water, it is not absorbed through the skin during bathing. Risk levels are based on consuming 8 glasses of water per day for 70 years. Generally, the contamination showed an original directional tendency of movement southwest, from over the border in White Bear Township towards the edge and into the City of Vadnais Heights. According to the MPCA, regular testing of these wells and others in the area will continue, especially since another common contamination, known as PFAS has shown up in the area, including a number of wells in Gem Lake. PFAS are Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of more than 5,000 human made chemicals that do not break down over time. Their extreme resistance to degradation in the environment and resistance to destruction in wastewater treatment plants and landfills has led to the nickname “forever chemicals.” PFAS have been used in many commercial and industrial applications since the 1940’s. It is now found in the blood serum of nearly every American. PFAS has shown up in water all over the State of Minnesota. Although it is very difficult for a well owner to successfully filter away 1,4 dioxane, the same does not necessarily hold true for PFAS. With the installation of the proper kind of filter, a homeowner can successfully filter PFAS out of drinking water. It is important that the filter system conform to specific standards, such as NSF/ANSI 53 (for filters) and/or NSF/ANSI 58 (for reverse osmosis). More information on specifics can be found at www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ environment/hazardous/topics/pfashometreat.html. Please note, even if a good filtering system is installed, it is crucial to change the filters on a regular basis. Given the growing pollution concerns around the State of Minnesota, it is increasingly important for the City of Gem Lake to keep pushing for solutions. These strategies include the continuing efforts by the MPCA to try to locate a source for the 1,4 dioxane contamination. Also, the City of Gem Lake continues to apply for both State and Federal funding with each legislative cycle to cover the cost of installing a total or partial municipal water system. Several years ago, the city commissioned a comprehensive water plan, which laid out initial engineering for a city-wide system, or alternatively, a multiple phased system that would draw water from one, two or three of the surrounding cities to serve particular neighborhoods. When the study was originally done, the cost of a city-wide system would have been between $6- $7 million, with smaller neighborhood phased in areas costing less, but requiring very careful engineering for water pressure, safety and logistical viability. The City of Gem Lake was awarded $959,757 almost two years ago (during the 2023/2024 funding cycle through a federal grant to pay for a municipal water system, which would be extended once the project was shovel ready. The following year, the city was awarded a similar amount in the 2024/2025 funding cycle. The next year was spent trying to get enough money at least to start a neighborhood phase of municipal water installation. City officials were disappointed to be informed last month that all unextended earmarks for the 2024/2025 funding cycle were being cancelled by the federal government. (Gem Lake retains the original $959,757.) Multiple federal officials, including Congresswoman Betty McCullum’s office, have already assisted the city to reapply for an award during this funding year’s funding cycle. That application has been submitted and awaits a decision. Competition for federal and state funds is fierce. The City of Gem Lake is up against cities whose 1,4 dioxane level is in the hundreds and where significantly greater numbers of households would be served. Another complicating factor is the majority of wells in the city remain uncontaminated, with some newer households having new wells and water infrastructure that they are not eager to let go of. Pollution that has shown up is heavily weighted towards the northwestern portions of the city, which would likely be tackled first in municipal water system installation. Despite these factors, there is a pressing need to move in the direction of a municipal water system, due to concerns about the growth of pollution in the future and the need for the best firefighting capabilities. Gem Lake is seeking to coordinate, if at all possible, with Ramsey County’s proposed resurfacing of Goose Lake Road, between LaBore Road and Otter Lake Road, which is tentatively scheduled for 2027. This would be a logical time to install municipal water infrastructure in that area. The new apartment building being built on the western border of Gem Lake in Vadnais Heights also presents an opportunity to form a joint project with our sister city, as it extends a water main closer to our borders.