Laserfiche WebLink
ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES <br />SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UTILITIES COMMISSION <br />HELD AT THE ERMU CONFERENCE ROOM <br />April 11, 2023 <br />Members Present: Chair John Dietz, Vice Chair Mary Stewart, Commissioners Paul Bell, Matt <br />Westgaard, and Nick Zerwas <br />ERMU Staff Present: Mark Hanson, General Manager <br />Sara Youngs, Administrations Director <br />Tom Geiser, Operations Director <br />Dave Ninow, Water Superintendent <br />Tony Mauren, Governance & Communications Manager <br />Others Present: Robyn Hoerr, Groundwater Specialist with Minnesota Rural Water <br />Association <br />1.0 Call Meeting to Order <br />2.0 Public Hearing for 2023 Wellhead Protection Plan Amendment <br />Ms. Hoerr Presented background on the value of a Wellhead Protection Plan and the <br />steps followed by ERMU's planning group. <br />Ms. Hoerr explained that the portion for the Drinking Water Supply Management Area <br />labelled as moderately vulnerable could be due to a geological factor which may allow <br />surface water to penetrate the soil in less time, bypassing some of the filtration benefits <br />provided by the soil. <br />Ms. Hoerr explained one of the main considerations for Elk River going forward will be <br />population growth and providing adequate water to the community. <br />Ms. Hoerr informed the Commission there are limitations to constructing new wells in the <br />Mt. Simon -Hinckley Aquifer as experts and agencies look to preserve the resource. <br />Mr. Hanson explained that regulatory agencies are now looking for utilities to <br />demonstrate conservation efforts before approving a new well. <br />Chair Dietz asked if all cities are required to have a Wellhead Protection Plan. <br />Ms. Hoerr responded that all public water utilities accessing ground water are required to <br />have a plan. <br />Ms. Hoerr explained there had been a 60-day notice given for this public hearing with no <br />comments submitted prior to the meeting. <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />April 11, 2023 <br />Page 1 <br />.• <br />