Maple Grove Water Quality Background
The City of Maple Grove MN draws water from 12 wells ranging from 157 to 715 feet deep, which get water from the Franconia-Mt. Simon aquifer, the Quaternary Water Table aquifer, and the Mt. Simon aquifer.
Maple Grove Water Hardness
Maple Grove water hardness ranges from 22-25gpg (grains per gallon). Like most suburban water drawn from wells, it by the USGS. A professional-grade Water Softener or Saltless Water Softener is highly recommended to reduce hardness less to protect plumbing, water heaters, and appliances.
Iron and Manganese in Maple Grove Water
Maple Grove’s raw well water source contains excessive amounts of Iron and Manganese. These minerals require Filtration or they will cause rusty, brownish-red water, spotting of clothes, staining of sinks, tubs and toilets, and foul taste and odor.
In 1987 Maple Grove installed a water treatment plant that injects Chlorine and Potassium Permanganate into the water to oxidize these minerals, and then remove them with filter beds of specially coated silica sand. Chlorine and fluoride are added last to two storage tanks that hold 3.5 million gallons of water.
Maple Grove Drinking Water Quality Reports
The City of Maple Grove MN conducts regular testing and provides Annual Water Quality Reports. These reports explain the “water contaminants” and levels that have been detected:
2010 Maple Grove Water Report
2009 Maple Grove Water Report
2008 Maple Grove Water Report
2006 Maple Grove Water Report
2005 Maple Grove 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. Most Inorganics do not easily pass through skin. They are mostly consumed through drinking water. 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 | 0.11 – 0.12 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 0.79 – 1.6 | 4 | 4ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth |
| Hard Water | 22 – 25gpg | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, glassware |
| Iron | 0.02ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Manganese | 0.03ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Nitrate | 0.06 – 0.1 | 10 | 10ppm | Infants below the age of 6 months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. |
| Sodium | 12-19ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfates | 43.1 – 48ppm | NA | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea |
Organic Contaminants
Organic Contaminants can be from natural sources like algae, or man-made like Carbon Tetrachloride. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylbenzene | 0.35 – 0.70 | 0 | 700ppb | Liver, nervous system, or circulatory problems |
| Toluene | 0.9 – 1.8 | 100 | 100ppb | Nervous system, liver, or kidney problems |
| Xylenes | 0.4 – 0.8 | 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 | 3.89 – 6.4 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Chlorine | 0.47 – 1.3 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 2.01 – 3.7 | 5.7 | 80ppb | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Dibromochloromethane | 4.45 – 11 | 0.4 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 0.47 – 1.7 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 1.4 – 5.1 | 0 | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.4 – 0.5 | 0 | 5ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Trihalomethanes | 12.7 – 28.0 | 0 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform and E. Coli* | 1% | 0 | 5% | Fecal coliforms and E. Coli only come from human and animal fecal waste |
| 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% Fecal 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 | 15 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 10.4 | 0 | 5pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 43 – 408 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Maple Grove'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.
