4.1. ERMUSR 01-08-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 Background The wellhead protection (WHP) plan for the Elk River Municipal Utilities was prepared in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). It contains specific actions that the ERMU will take to fulfill WHP requirements that are specified under Minnesota Rules 4720.5510 to 4720.5590. Also, the support that Minnesota state agencies, federal agencies, and Sherburne County will provide is presented to identify their roles in protecting the ERMU's drinking water supply. The plan is effective for 10 years after the approval date specified by the MDH and the ERMU is responsible for implementing its WHP plan of action as described in Table 9 of this report. Furthermore, the ERMU will evaluate the status of plan implementation at least every two and one half years to identify whether its WHP plan is being implemented on schedule. 1.2 Plan Appendices Much of the technical information that was used to prepare this plan is contained in the appendices but is summarized in the main body of this plan. In particular— • Appendix I contains the first part of the plan, consisting of the delineation of the wellhead protection area (WHPA), the drinking water supply management area (DWSMA), and the vulnerability assessments for the public water supply wells and the DWSMA. This part of the plan is summarized in Chapter 3. • Appendix II contains the inventory of potential contamination sources that may present a risk to the ERMU's drinking water. This part of the plan is discussed in Chapter 4 in terms of assigning risk to the ERMU's water supply and is discussed as issues, problems or opportunities summarized in Chapter 6. • Appendix III contains the contingency strategy to provide for an alternate water supply if there is a disruption caused by contamination or mechanical failure. This part of the plan is discussed in Chapter 11. Chapter 2 - Identification and Assessment of the Data Elements Used to Prepare the Plan The data elements that are included in this plan document the need for the WHP measures that will be implemented to help protect the ERMU's water supply from potential sources of contamination. The ERMU met with representatives from the MDH on two occasions to discuss the data elements that are specified in MR 4720.5400 for preparing a WHP plan. The first scoping meeting that was held on November 10, 2009 addressed the data elements that were needed to support the delineation of the WHPA, the DWSMA, and the well and DWSMA vulnerability assessments. The second scoping meeting that was held on August 1, 2011 1