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8.0 Water Supply System Plan <br />At present, there is no citywide public water distribution <br />system within Gem Lake. Tousley Ford, in the Hoffinan's <br />Corners West area of the City, and the Montessori School <br />in the south west corner of the City currently receive their <br />water supply from Vadnais Heights. All other properties in <br />Gem Lake, residential and non-residential, obtain their <br />water supply via private wells. <br />The City has a number of options with regard to its water <br />supply. The first would be to continue to rely on private <br />wells. A second option would be to purchase water from <br />the Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and White Bear <br />Township water distribution systems for all properties <br />within Gem Lake. A third option would be to purchase <br />water for only the commercial properties. <br />Connecting to an existing municipal system would address <br />a number of potential problems. Water quality would be <br />enhanced by connecting to a public system that includes <br />water treatment facilities. With private wells, there is the <br />potential of contamination and of the well going dry. <br />There are some steps that the City should undertake if it <br />continues to primarily rely on private wells for its water <br />supply. For instance, a program should be set up to require <br />periodic testing of water from every well in the City to <br />determine water quality. This program could include steps <br />to take in the event water quality fails to meet minimum <br />standards. <br />In addition, an educational program should be set up to <br />promote water conservation measures within the City of <br />Gem Lake. Although each residence and business has its <br />own private well, it would be beneficial to the community <br />to have some type of water conservation program in order <br />to maximize groundwater supply. It would be difficult for <br />the City to impose water conservation regulations on <br />properties with private wells. However, an educational <br />program could recommend voluntary water conservation <br />measures to property owners. Space in the city newsletter <br />could be devoted to describing and/or recommending water <br />saving techniques, devices and appliances (i.e., how to cut <br />down on water use, the best and worst times to use water <br />outdoors, etc.). The educational program could emphasize <br />the value and importance of conserving water, regardless of <br />whether or not the City has municipal water. <br />City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan I page 8-1 <br />