6.4. ERMUSR 11-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BARR October 22, 2007 Barr Engineering Company 4700 West 77th Street • Minneapolis, MN 55435-4803 Phone: 952-832-2600 • Fax: 952-832-2601 • www.barr.com An EEO Employer Minneapolis, MN • Hibbing, MN • Duluth, MN • Ann Arbor, MI .Jefferson City, MO Bryan Adams General Manager Elk River Municipal Utilities 12069 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Proposal to Evaluate Water Supply Alternatives Dear Mr. Adams: The following is a proposal to conduct an initial evaluation of water-supply alternatives for the City of Elk River. As we discussed, the water supply for Elk River (obtained from wells completed in the Mt Simon-Hinckley aquifer) is likely sufficient for the next few years, given current population growth in the service area. But Elk River and the surrounding communities are beginning to experience accelerated growth that will likely continue as development follows the proposed North Star rail line. Communities, such as Otsego, are growing rapidly and are using groundwater as their water supply. As groundwater use (both public and private) in the vicinity of Elk River increases, water supply conditions may change. We understand that the Minnesota DNR has queried your interest in participating with nearby communities, such as Ramsey, in developing a shared surface-water supply. Some of these communities do not have access to bedrock aquifer systems and are looking for alternative sources of water to meet future demand. Surface water requires significant investment in treatment facilities before it can be used as a water supply. Also, as we discussed, we are currently working with the Metropolitan Council in conducting a water-supply study for the seven-county metro area. The major task in this study is the development of amulti-aquifer computer model of groundwater flow in the area. The Metropolitan Council has asked that we expand the model study area out to the western and northwestern extents of the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer, including the Elk River area. This model is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2008. At that time, this model can be used, with modifications, to evaluate a wide variety of groundwater supply alternatives and to forecast the adequacy of supplies. The study were are proposing is a screening-level review of your water-supply alternatives - an inventory of potential alternatives that includes positives, negatives, and identifies initial information that would be necessary to further evaluate. Based on this study, you may elect to evaluate further alternatives in greater detail. The following are the task that we propose to perform: 1. A review of Elk River's current water supply (groundwater from the Mt. Simon-Hinckley aquifer)