October 25, 2024

The Honorable Colette Smythe

Mayor, City of Ellsworth

PO Box 335; 322 S. Broadway Street Ellsworth, MN 56129

Dear Mayor Smythe:

I am pleased to inform you that the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) approved project financing for the City of Ellsworth on October 9, 2024. The Project consists of a connection for the City of Ellsworth to the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water system.  PFA’s financing is as follows:

                                  Drinking Water SRF-Loan                                                                    $1,516,268

                                  Drinking Water SRF-PF Grant                                                                $409,732

$1,926,000

We conservatively estimate that the PFA loan (30 years at 1.283%) will save local taxpayers approximately $502,876 in interest costs compared to market rate financing.

We congratulate the City of Ellsworth for its successful application and its financial commitment to improve its drinking water infrastructure.

The financial assistance contract will be sent to you shortly.  Loan disbursements are contingent upon our receipt of the City of Ellsworth’s general obligation bond and related documents.

If you have any questions about this project financing or about the PFA’s programs in general, please feel free to contact Jeff Freeman, Executive Director at 651/259-7465.

Regards,

Matt Varilek, Chair

MN Public Facilities Authority

CC:     Rep. Joe Schomacker

  Sen. Bill Weber

Minnesota Public Facilities Authority

1^st National Bank Building  •  332 Minnesota St.  •  Suite W820  •  Saint Paul, MN 55101-1378  •  USA

651-259-7469  •  800-657-3858 TOLL FREE  •  651-296-8833 FAX  •   mn.gov/pfa

An equal opportunity employer and service provider

 

 

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THE CITY IS NOW ON LINCOLN PIPESTONE RURAL WATER (Lewis & Clark water) 

Disinfecting our drinking water is an important health and safety measure the City of Ellsworth provides for its residents. Once connected to Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water, the City of Ellsworth will be changing its method of disinfection from chlorine to chloramines. The city anticipates changing its method of water disinfection to chloramination in November/December 2024!!!  Additional updates will be provided as construction progresses.

Chloramination is a commonly used disinfection process, used by many including Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water. Chloramination is the process of adding chloramine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that cause illness. The use of chloramines or other disinfectants is required by EPA drinking water standards and by the Minnesota Department of Health. * See last page of this newsletter for more information.

• Important info for fish owners: Similar to chlorine disinfection, chloramination can affect fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Like chlorine, chloramines can enter into a fish’s bloodstream through its gills, which may be harmful to the fish. Since Chloramines last longer in the water than chlorine, the chloramines must be removed from the water with a filter or additive. Chloramines take weeks, much longer than chlorine, to dissipate from the water.

Unlike humans and other household pets, fish, aquatic animals, reptiles and amphibians absorb water directly into the blood stream. Don’t keep these animals in water that contains chlorine or chloramine disinfectants. Chloraminated water may be toxic to fish. Fish owners should make sure the chemicals or filters they are using are designed for use in water that has been treated with chloramines. They may need to change the type of filter that they use for the fish tank. Unlike chlorine, chloramines cannot be removed by boiling water or letting water stand in an open container to dissipate. Products are available at aquarium supply stores that can remove chloramine. Ask a pet store about methods of removing disinfectants from water for these pets.

The small amount of chloramine added to water will not affect other pets (such as mammals and birds) and can be used regularly for watering and bathing animals.

• Important info for dialysis providers/home dialysis: The change to chloramines can cause problems to persons dependent on dialysis machines. A condition known as hemolytic anemia can occur if the disinfectant is not completely removed from the water that is used for the dialysate. Dialysis facilities should prepare to adjust water purifications techniques for water used during dialysis treatments. The pretreatment scheme used for the dialysis units typically include some means, such as a charcoal filter, for removing the chloramine. Home dialysis users should consult the machine manufacturer for instructions on how to properly treat their water before use and double check for proper treatment of chloramine in the future. Medical facilities should also determine if additional precautions are required for other medical equipment. See additional information on next page of newsletter.

           As always, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the City Office at 507-967-2373.

         

Changes to City of Ellsworth’s Drinking Water Disinfection Process

Please Note:  You are receiving this letter because there may be changes occurring to the water provided at this service connection.

Soon the City of Ellsworth will be receiving potable drinking water supplied from Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water (LPRW) System.  To meet Safe Drinking Water standards set by the state and federal government, LPRW and its partner source water providers utilize chloramines as a disinfecting agent instead of free chlorine as part of the drinking water disinfection process.

This is a very common disinfecting practice utilized by public water suppliers throughout the United States; however, there are special precautions that the end user must understand and be aware of:

 

Customers who have home aquariums and customers who are on kidney dialysis will need to take special precautions. Precaution for Home Aquariums – Chloramines are toxic to fish, so special chemicals will need to be added to the water before the water is added to the aquarium.  Local pet stores can provide details on the chemicals that should be used. Precautions for Dialysis Patients – Water disinfected with chloramines should not be used for dialysis treatments without special filters to remove the chloramines.  Please speak to your doctor if you have questions about your treatment.  Water treated with chloramines is safe for drinking, bathing and other household uses.

FAQs – Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding chloramine disinfection.

What is chloramine?  Chloramine is a disinfectant used to treat drinking water. It is formed by mixing chlorine with ammonia. It is a more stable form of disinfectant and extends the disinfectant benefits throughout the water distribution system. Chloramine has been used by water systems for almost 90 years and its use is closely regulated.

Why is the City making the change to chloramines?  The City of Ellsworth currently provides water using free-chlorine as its primary disinfectant.  Another disinfectant regularly utilized by public water suppliers is chloramines.  The primary reason for the conversion is the new source water supply that we will receive from Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water System and Lewis & Clark Regional Water utilizes this type of disinfectant. 

What are trihalomethanes (THMs)?  THMs are chemical compounds that are formed when chlorine mixes with naturally occurring organics in water.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted tests which determined that chloroform (one of the THMs) is carcinogenic when consumed by laboratory animals in large quantities over a prolonged period of time, and is a suspected carcinogen for people.  EPA set a standard of 80 parts per billion (ppb) as the maximum level of THMs in drinking water.

Are chloramines new?  No.  Many cities and public water systems in the US and Canada have used chloramines for decades.  Customers receiving chloraminated water from Lewis & Clark Regional Water system include Rock County Rural Water and the City of Luverne in Minnesota; and several rural water systems and cities in South Dakota, including the City of Sioux Falls.

Are Chloramines Safe?  Yes.  Chloramines have been used safely in the US and Canada for many years. EPA accepts chloramines as a disinfectant and as a way to avoid THM formations. Without the use of some kind of disinfectant, disease causing organisms could be spread through drinking water.

Chloraminated water is safe for bathing, drinking, cooking and all of the uses we have for water each day. However, there are two groups of people who need to take special care with chloraminated water: kidney dialysis patients and fish owners.

Why do kidney dialysis patients have to take special precautions?  In the dialysis process, water comes in contact with the blood across a permeable membrane. Chloramines in that water would be toxic, just as chlorine is toxic, and must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines.  Medical centers that perform dialysis are responsible for purifying the water that enters the dialysis machines.

What should people with home dialysis machines do to remove chloramines?  You should first check with your physician, who can recommend the appropriate type of water treatment. Often home dialysis service companies can make the needed modifications but you should check with your physicians to be certain.

If chloramines are toxic, won't they harm people and pets?  Chloramines are harmful when they go directly into the bloodstream as happens in kidney dialysis. Fish also take chloramines directly into their bloodstream. That's why chloramines must be removed from water that goes into kidney dialysis machines or is used in fish tanks and ponds.

If chloramines shouldn't mix with blood, is it safe to drink water containing them?  Yes. Everyone can drink water that is chloraminated because the digestive process neutralizes the chloramines before they reach the bloodstream.  Even kidney dialysis patients can drink, cook and bathe in chloraminated water. It's only when water interacts directly with the bloodstream as in dialysis or in a fish's gill structure that chloramines must be removed.

How about washing an open wound, such as a cut, with chloraminated water?  Certainly.  Even large amounts of water used in cleaning a cut would have no effect because virtually no water actually enters the bloodstream that way.

Will chloramines change the pH of water?  No. It will remain the same (pH = 8.6 to 8.9).

What will water taste like with chloramines?  If you notice any change at all, you may find the water has less of a chlorine odor or taste.

Do home water softeners remove chloramines?  Most water softeners are not designed to remove chloramines.

If chloramines are such effective disinfectants, why haven't they been used more?  Given enough contact time, chloramines are just as effective as chlorine at doing their job - killing bacteria. While chlorine works more quickly, it doesn't last as long as chloramines. Both disinfectants have advantages and disadvantages.  The choice of disinfectant depends on local water conditions.           .

How do chloramines affect fish?  Chloramines are toxic to fish and must be removed from water, just as chlorine is toxic and must be removed. You may not have had to remove chlorine from your aquarium water because it disappears rapidly on its own. This is not the case with chloramines and steps should be taken to remove chloramines. Most pet stores sell dechloraminating agents. 

Won't letting water sit for a few days remove chloramines from tank or pond water?  No. Unlike chlorine, which dissipates when water sits for a few days, chloramines may take weeks to disappear. If you don't want to use a dechloraminating chemical, the next best solution is to install a granular activated carbon filter and allow sufficient contact time.

Will chloraminated water affect the toilet mechanisms?  Chloramines may wear out the rubber inner workings of the toilet more quickly, especially mechanisms like the toilet flapper. It is advisable to inspect your toilet flapper once or twice a year to ensure that it is functioning properly.

When will this conversion take place?  The City of Ellsworth anticipates the change will occur by the beginning of November/December 2024 when connection to LPRW is complete and on-line.

Water & Sewer Rates for 2025:   

2025 Water 0 – 1000 gallons fee: base $37.00  (2024 $16.50)      2025 After the first 1000 gallons $1.25              (2024 $2.00)                                          

2025 Sewer base fee $25.00                             (2024 $24.50)        

MN Dept. of Health annual fee $9.72  (No change)    

The average usage in Ellsworth is 3,400 gallons of water = 4% increase.

If you have questions about the change to our disinfection system by contacting our office at 507-967.2373.

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Update on 2^nd phase of THE New Community Center & Fitness ROOM

The Community room/ fitness room bid was considerably higher than anticipated. We need your help to complete this project. We are at 80%. Will you help reach our goal? FARMERS you can donate a portion of your harvest at the New Vision Elevator in Ellsworth. Let the elevator know that your donation will be going to the City of Ellsworth for the Ellsworth Multi-Purpose project. You will be sent a tax form after payment has been recieved by the Southwest Initiative Foundation. 

 

Included is the drawing and the pledge form.  Click on Link or see form below. PLEDGE FORM 8 16 2023

If you have any questions, please contact the city hall at 507-967-2373 or Mayor Colette Smythe 507-920-6901.

Sump Pump Discharge Notice:  Any resident with sump pumps draining their water into the sanitary sewer line and NOT disposing it properly out into the storm sewer drains on the street, may be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $700 dollars or jail time. City Ordinance 910.07 Use of Public Services, Subd. 1, Unpolluted Waters.