Shorewood Water Quality Background
The City of Shorewood MN draws water from the Prairie DuChien-Jordan, Prairie DuChien Group, and Prairie Du Chien-Jordan, and Franconia-Ironton-Galesville aquifers through wells that range from 326-640 feet deep. Shorewood also purchases water from the City of Chanhassen to meet the volume needed by residents and businesses.
Arsenic in Shorewood MN City Water
Shorewood water meets the EPA’s 10ppb limit for Arsenic, but exceeds the health limit of 0ppb. The EPA’s 10ppb limit balances the current understanding of Arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing Arsenic from drinking water.
Private wells in the Shorewood area seem to be at a higher risk for Arsenic with levels ranging from 3-57ppb.
Shorewood Drinking Water Quality Reports
The City of Shorewood MN conducts regular testing and provides Annual Water Quality Reports. These reports explain the “water contaminants” and levels that have been detected:
2011 Shorewood Water Report
2009 Shorewood Water Report
2008 Shorewood Water Report
2007 Shorewood Water Report
2006 Shorewood 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. Inorganic contaminants are mostly consumed through drinking water. They 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 | 1.0 – 6.87 | 0 | 10ppb | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.11 – 0.231 | 2 | 2ppm | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 1.3 – 1.5 | 4 | 4ppm | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth |
| Hard Water | 18 – 20gpg | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, glassware |
| Iron | 0 – 0.5ppm | NA | NA | Damage to plumbing, appliances, water heaters, laundry |
| Sodium | 20 – 21ppm | NA | NA | Hypertension |
| Sulfate | 8.5 – 23.2ppm | NA | NA | Catharsis, Dehydration from diarrhoea |
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 | 0.19 – 0.7 | 0 | 80ppb | Increased risk of cancer, damage to liver, kidneys, and nervous system |
| Chlorine | 0.5 – 2.4 | 4 | 4ppm | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 0.95 – 2.7 | 5.7 | 80ppb | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 1.6 – 2.2 | 0 | 60ppb | Irritant and corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract |
| Haloacetic Acids | 2.9 – 3.1 | 0 | 60ppb | Increased risk of cancer |
| Trihalomethanes | 1.9 – 3.4 | NA | 80ppb | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
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 | 8.0 – 11.6 | 0 | 15.4pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 3.8 – 5.8 | 0 | 5pCi/L | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 927 – 1030 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Shorewood'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.
