Chanhassen City Water Background
The Chanhassen MN city water department opened in 1965, and now serves up to 8.65 million gallons of tap water a day to nearly 7,000 homes and businesses.
Chanhassen’s water comes from deep wells that contain natural elements like Iron, Manganese, and calcium, in addition to less desirable elements like Arsenic.
Chanhassen Water Hardness
Chanhassen water hardness ranges from 18-21gpg. This is rated “extremely hard” by the USGS (hard water info). A High Efficiency Water Softener or Saltless Softener can provide protection against hard water damage.
Iron in Chanhassen Water
Recently a gravity filtration system was implemented to remove the Iron and Manganese that have caused orange/brown stains for so many years.
Occasional Iron may pass through the system and build up in the city water mains. This is fixed by periodic “hydrant flushing” to clean out the water system.
Once treated, the Department of Health requires the addition of chlorine and fluoride to the water storage reservoirs.
Chanhassen Water Quality Reports
The City of Chanhassen does regular water testing and publishes the results in Annual Drinking Water Reports. These reports explain which water contaminants, and what levels have been found:
2011 Chanhassen Water Report
2010 Chanhassen Water Report
2009 Chanhassen Water Report
2008 Chanhassen Water Report
2007 Chanhassen Water Report
2006 Chanhassen Water Report
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level – The maximum allowable level of a certain contaminant, aka the “Legal Limit”
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL – The level where studies have found ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”
All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Certain water contaminants exceed the EPA’s Health Limit and have been highlighted:
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals like Hard Water and Copper. Inorganics are mostly consumed through drinking water, and most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have virtually ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis and the LINX Evolution are very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1.38 – 11.5 | 0 | 10ppb | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | .144 – .262 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 1.03 | 4 | 4ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth |
| Hard Water | 18 – 21gpg | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, glassware |
| Iron | 0 – 0.4ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Mercury | 0 – 0.1ppm | 2 | 2ppm | Kidney damage |
| Nitrate | 0.1ppm | 0 | 10ppm | Kidney damage |
| Sodium | 22 – 27ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfates | 72 – 130ppm | NA | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea |
Organic Contaminants
Organic Contaminants can be from natural sources like algae, or man-made like Ethylbenzene. Many organic chemicals easily pass through the skin, and make a Pureoflow, DMT Hybrid System, or Whole House Carbon Filter a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | 0.28 – 1.4 | 0 | 6ppb | Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Ethylbenzene | 111.5 – 400 | 700 | 700ppb | Liver or kidney problems |
| Styrene | 0.17 – 1.3 | 100 | 100ppb | Liver, kidney, or circulatory problems |
| Toluene | 0.69 – 11 | 100 | 100ppb | Nervous system, liver, or kidney problems |
| Xylenes | 2.07 – 35 | 1.8 | 100ppb | Nervous system damage |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to control bacteria. When disinfectants like Chlorine react with other water contaminants, a new class of compounds are formed called “Disinfection Byproducts. Many of these chemicals can enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and through drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bromodichloromethane | 0.08 – 0.7 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Chlorine | 0.1 – 1.5 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 0.42 – 2.9 | 5.7 | 80ppb | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 0.26 – 1.8 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.1 | 0 | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Trihalomethanes | 0.4 – 26 | NA | 80ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
Microbial Contaminants
Bacteria, Virus, and Cysts come from a variety of sources including water main breaks, sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Microbes are mainly consumed through drinking water. Carbon Filters and Water Softeners do not offer any protection against microbes, but UV Treatment and Ultrafiltration are very effective.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform Bacteria* | 1% | 0 | 5% | Not a health threat itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
*Upon re-testing, 0% Coliform Bacteria was detected.
Radionuclides
Radionuclides may occur naturally, or be the result of oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitters | 3.82 – 14.9 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.8 – 5.9 | 0 | 5pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 210 – 244 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Chanhassen’s water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG). Please contact us if there are any missing contaminants, or levels that differ from those outlined on this page.
