1. Miscellaneous
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a. Metro Area Groundwater Alliance (Chris Elvrum)
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i. Not present.
ii. Minnesota Groundwater Association meeting on 11/10/03 at the University of Minnesota Earle Brown Center
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i. Nothing to report.
2. Reports
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a. Minnesota Rural Water Association (Ruth Hubbard)
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i. Ruth Hubbard indicated that the National Rural Water Association has
developed new software called Security Emergency Management Service (SEMS)
that is directed to municipalities in the 3,300 - 10,000 population range.
They will be working with the MN Department of Health to distribute it.
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i. Doug Mandy is the new Water Section Head, replacing the retired Gary
Englund.
ii. Doug mentioned in the last legislative session that the $2.5M fund that MDH had generated into a dedicated fund from the $5.21 fee has been utilized by the Legislature to help offset the State's deficit.
iii. Future legislative requests by MDH maybe for present needs. Downside to this approach is the need of MDH to have to request funding from the legislature every two years.
iv. No legislation is proposed by MDH this year but an increase to the 5/21 will be requested in 2005.
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i. Not present
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i. Not present
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i. Not present
i. Bernie Bullert reported on the American Society of Engineers (ASCE)
infrastructure progress report. Report indicates an annual shortfall of
$11 billion needed to replace or rehabilitate facilities that are nearing
the end of their useful life and to comply with federal water regulations.
ASCE also called on Congress to boost annual funding of the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund (SRF) to $5 billion for five years and to $6 billion/year
for the Clean Water SRF.
i. Not present
3. Discussion - Action Items
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a. Old Issues
i. Ruth Hubbard - mentioned EPA's evaluation report dated 9/24/03 on
the quality of vulnerability assessments related to the security of the
nation's water supply. Distribution systems are considered the most vulnerable.
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i. Doug Rovang reported on the recent study completed by University of California
at Berkeley (UCB), on the year-long epidemiological investigation that was
designed to test whether additional in-home treatment of public drinking
water that meets all federal and state standards could reduce the incidence
of gastrointestinal illnesses related to waterborne pathogens. The study
revealed no significant difference in illness incidence between families
who consumed tap water straight from the treatment plant or treated again
by combination ultrafiltration/ultraviolet disinfection (UF/UV) unit.
ii. Ed Sorensen suggested that the WUC reinvigorate the relationship with the MNDNR. MNDNR issues with the City of Lakeville (well approval), and the City of Rochester (drilling an additional well) are examples of having a good relationship with MNDNR would be helpful.
iii. Doug Rovang discussed the lease back proposal currently under review by the City of Rochester on their water system. A bonding company has brought together a group of investors (insurance companies and banks) that would pay a municipality a percentage (2-3%) of the asset value in a one time up front cash payment. The municipality would lose depreciation rights but would remain responsible for its operation. The municipality would lose its capability to bond against the asset's value for future improvements. The League of Municipalities is supportive of this approach. The City of Fargo is currently considering the offer. Bernie Bullert indicated that the City of St. Paul declined to pursue the offer.
iv. Dave Rexing, the water quality research and development manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Section, is a candidate for AWWA president-elect. Dave indicated that currently that there are 8 sections with no paid staff. He believes that each section should have one paid staff.
i. ........Kurt Johnson.
ii. This was the last meeting that Bob Cockriel served as chair. Congratulations
to Bob on a job well done.
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