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Source Water Assessment A Source Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) is now available at our office, or you may search for “Elk River” at health. state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/swp/swa.html. This plan is an assessment of the delineated area around our listed sources through which contaminants, if present, could migrate and reach our source water. It also includes an inven- tory of potential sources of contamination within the delineat- ed area and a determination of the water supply’s susceptibility to contamination by the identified potential sources. Approximately 90 percent of our drinking water supply management area is considered nonvulnerable, while less than 10 percent is vulnerable. Our Wellhead Protection Plan includes measures to mitigate or prevent potential contamination. It is important to seal unused wells and update records with the city and county. Unsealed wells act as direct pathways for contaminants to enter drinking water sources. Similarly, substances applied to the ground or in water can eventually percolate into drinking water sources in variable timelines, impacting its quality. Please handle chemicals and waste responsibly to protect our water supply. If you are not using a well, or you discover an old, abandoned well, have it sealed. Open wells can impact an entire community’s water supply if left unprotected. Please call our office if you have questions. Our Commitment We are pleased to present to you this year’s annual water quality report. This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality covering all testing performed between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Included are details about your source of water, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water and providing you with this information because informed customers are our best allies. Conservation Check your irrigation system regularly and monitor your irriga- tion use. Overwatering is the biggest culprit for high water bills and the top use of water in Elk River. Using less water more often is the key. Water for 15 minutes per zone and then repeat as needed later in the day for 5 to 15 minutes. Roots need to absorb the water to help your lawn grow lush and green. Too much watering at one time forces water to move past the roots belowground or run into the road or a neighboring drain aboveground. Where Does My Water Come From? ERMU wells are supplied by the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aqui- fer. We maintain eight wells ranging from 225 to 454 feet deep, six wells have water treatment facilities that remove iron and manganese from the source water. There are four water towers, over 125 miles of water main, 1,334 hydrants and just under 3,000 valves in our system. In 2024, ERMU pumped over 841 million gallons of water. We are proud to serve over 5,800 water customers. Should I be Concerned About What I’m Pouring Down My Drain? If your home is served by a sewage system, your drain is an entrance to your wastewater disposal system and eventu- ally to a drinking water source. Consider purchasing envi- ronmentally friendly home products whenever possible, and never pour hazardous materials (e.g., car engine oil) down the drain. Check with your health department for more information on proper disposal methods. Important Health Information Some people may be more vulnerable to contami- nants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particu- larly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health-care providers. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appro- priate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or epa.gov/safewater. Questions?For more information about this report or any questions relating to your drinking water, please call Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) at (763) 441-2020 (Dave Ninow, Water Superintendent) To view this report online, visit ermumn. com/services/water/water-quality-report. 170