Eden Prairie Water Quality Background
The City of Eden Prairie draws water from the Jordan and Prairie Du Chien-Jordan aquifers through wells that range from 379-418 feet deep.
Once treated, the city delivers an average of 8.7 million gallons of water per day to residents and businesses.
Eden Prairie Water Hardness
Eden Prairie water hardness is rated as “moderately hard” by the USGS. The untreated well water is almost as hard as the infamous Frederick Miller Spring in Eden Prairie. But the city uses a chemical treatment process that alters the pH in order to decrease the water hardness from 18 grains down to around 5-6 grains.
A professional-grade Water Softener or Membrane System can reduce the hardness even more for added protection.
Eden Prairie Drinking Water Quality Reports
The City of Eden Prairie conducts regular testing and provides annual drinking water quality reports. These reports explain the “water contaminants” and levels that have been detected:
2010 Eden Prairie Water Report
2009 Eden Prairie Water Report
2008 Eden Prairie Water Report
2007 Eden Prairie Water Report
2006 Eden Prairie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | 0.03 – 1.03 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 0.83 – 1.2 | 4 | 4ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth |
| Hard Water | 5 – 6gpg | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, glassware |
| Sodium | 8.1ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfates | 29ppm | NA | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea |
Organic Contaminants
Organic Contaminants can be natural like Tannins, or man-made like Vinyl Chloride. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.22 – 0.4 | 70 | 70ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Xylenes | .0002 | 10 | 10ppm | 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 for these compounds as well.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bromodichloromethane | 6.66 – 12 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Bromoform | 1.4 – 2.7 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Chlorine | 0.8 – 1.3 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 3.6 – 5.4 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 4.3 – 8 | NA | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Trihalomethanes | 22.23 – 40.6 | 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% – 5% | 0 | 5% | Not a health threat itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
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 | 1 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Eden Prairie’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
