Written by Marky Wagner
Since this past summer the City of Minneapolis has been working on the water mains in the Fowell and Cleveland neighborhoods. The project consists of cleaning and lining iron water mains. The City has more than 1,000 miles of water mains, 750 miles which were installed before the 1960s when pipes were made of unlined cast iron. The unlined pipes suffer from corrosion that leave mineral deposits in the pipes that do not pose a health problem, but affect flow and if not remediated will cause discoloration of the water. The City is flushing the lines and installing linings in the existing lines and will be completing approximately seven miles per year. The repairs are expected to extend the service life 50 years. The project in our part of the city is winding down with the work on the west side of the neighborhoods completed on Vincent, Russell and Irving. The last work on Fremont and Dupont is expected to be completed in the next couple of weeks.
The work project scheduled for next year on the west end will include Upton and Queen Avenues from Lowry to 40th Avenue and Girard, Emerson and Colfax between Lowry Avenue and 39th Avenue. Households in this area can expect the installation of temporary piping above connected to their outside spigots in most cases to allow for uninterrupted water service. You will still be able to connect an outside hose for garden and lawn use. Water for the temporary line will not run through your water meter so the City will bill your property based on your previous years’ usage. All costs associated with the flushing and relining of the water are not assessed to the property owners. The water meter in your home/business may need to be disconnected during the work to prevent backflow of water into the completed work. Any access by City employees will be by appointment only with the City of Minneapolis water department and all City employees will be badged with identification. The projects include safety hazards in work areas and driving disruptions at the corners where temporary piping crosses streets.
The City has also recently started sending out notifications of property owners’ water service line materials. The notice contains current records that show whether your water service lines may or may not contain lead. The city water mains are constructed from iron and steel and do not contain lead, but many of the service lines connected from the homes to the main may. The letter states people living in homes with a lead service line may have an increase risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water. You can find more info on your service line material at minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/utility-services/water/water-quality/water-quality-lead/plumbing-faucets/lead-service-line-map/.
You can also find more info for water testing kits at minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/lead-testing/.
The City states that it treats the water in a way that prevents lead from getting into the water. The City adds a compound (orthophosphate) that creates a protective coating in pipes.
The City recommends that households remember to flush their lines by taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes before drinking tap water. Use cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. The City also recommends the use of filtration systems. You can find facts at the EPA’s website at epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead.
The City states the property service lines and connections are privately-owned and until recently, public funds could not be used for the replacement of private infrastructure. The City is targeting areas with low incomes, children with elevated lead levels, and coordinating the replacement of lead service lines with other capital improvement projects for the most efficient use of grant funding. This is not an “opt-in” program. Find more info about the City’s program at minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/lead-service-lines/.