Show All Answers

1. Does Minnesota Rule 4720 affect private wells?

No. It only affects public water suppliers.

2. What is required of the public water suppliers as the regulated group?

All public water suppliers are required to manage an inner-wellhead management zone, a 200-foot radius surrounding a public water supply, by:
•Maintaining adequate isolation distances for newly-installed potential sources of contamination

•Monitoring existing potential sources of contamination

•Implementing wellhead protection measures for potential contaminant sources

In addition, owners and operators of a public water supply must prepare a Wellhead Protection Plan, which includes:

•A map showing the delineated wellhead protection areas

•A vulnerability assessment of the wells and the wellhead protection areas

•An inventory of potential sources of contamination within the wellhead protection areas

•A plan to manage and monitor existing and proposed potential sources of contamination

•A contingency strategy for an alternative emergency water supply

3. Does a public water supplier have to own all the property within management zone?

No.

4. Do contaminant source control measures need to be implemented before a wellhead protection plan is submitted to the Department of Health for approval?

No. The plan must identify the measures that will be used and when they will be implemented over a 10-year period.

5. Does White Bear Township have a Wellhead Protection Plan?

Yes. All public water suppliers are required by the Minnesota Department of Health to implement wellhead protection measures as specified in Minnesota Rule 4720. White Bear Township created its Wellhead Protection Plan in October 2012 and is currently completing a 10-year review and update of the plan.

6. What is wellhead protection?

Wellhead protection is a method of preventing contamination of a public water supply by effectively managing potential contaminant sources in the areas which contribute to the public water supply.