State of Shutdown: Impact on City Drinking Water

Now that the state government has shut down, the Minnesota Department of Health’s capacity to carry out its duties is “significantly diminished” according to a release from the MDH. Only 189 employees will be on staff during the shutdown, just about 13 percent of the agency’s total workforce.

That means the state labs that monitor drinking water from cities around the state, like Minnetonka, are now closed.

Throughout the year, crews from  gather samples of the city's drinking water and, as mandated by the Environmental Protections Agency, send those samples to MDH to be tested for a laundry list of contaminates. 

City officials said weekly water testing will continue because those tests are already performed by a private contractor. There is less certainty however about monthly compliance samples, which are usually tested by the state health department.

Minnetonka's next compliance samples are not due to the MDH until August 31. If the state shutdown lasts until then, the city says, it is unclear if Minnetonka would still be required to pay the state for testing that is not done or be forced to pay a private company to perform those tests instead.  

The latest public report on the quality of Minnetonka’s drinking water was released in early June. While lead, copper, radon and other contaminants were detected in trace amounts, none were detected at levels violating federal drinking water standards, and the drinking water was labeled safe. 

A spokeswoman for Minnetonka told Patch that the city has “absolutely no” health concerns and that it's reasonable for drinking water, including bottled water, to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.

The city of Minnetonka provides drinking water to its residents from 18 wells that draw from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, at depths from 405 to 575 feet. 

For a full report on Minnetonka's drinking water supply, click here. 

Minnesota Department of Health Services deemed CRITICAL:

• Investigating and responding to disease outbreaks

• Investigating complaints in health care facilities

• Sampling public water supply systems and drinking water supply protection

• Screening newborns for hearing and genetic disorders

• Vaccine distribution

• Core public health laboratory capacity

• Food inspection, safety, and security

• Registration and issuance of birth and death certificates by external partners

• Maintaining the Minnesota Poison Control Center operations

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program

• Facility security

• Incident command and support for critical services

• Cancer screening and follow-up for eligible women through the Sage program

Minnesota Department of Health Services deemed NOT CRITICAL:

•  Annual funding of more than $300 million to hundreds of external partners for important public health work across the state.

• Providing financial support to local units of government and tribes across the state to meet the health needs of their communities, a task that requires over $100 million annually.

• Operating our major initiatives on important health issues such as obesity, tobacco, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and asthma.

• The agency will not be able to provide grant funding to community organizations across the state are using to reduce health disparities.

• Regulatory duties such as providing licensing and permitting services to businesses and individuals.

• Responding to environmental health hazards involving mold, asbestos, lead and indoor air.

• Responding to complaints that consumers may have about their HMOs.

• Health education initiatives.

• The agency will not be able to update their website, nor provide expert analysis or consultations for businesses and health organizations.

***

Follow the latest shutdown developments on Minnetonka Patch:

July 5: 

July 5: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Public Safety

July 1: State of Shutdown: Replay of Final Hours

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on City of Minnetonka

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Locals

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Nonprofits

July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Schools

June 30: Countdown to Shutdown

June 30: Teen Clinics Await Their Fate During Shutdown

June 30: Does Shutdown Impact You?

June 29: Judge Rules on Essential Services

June 29: MnDOT to City: 'Work Must Stop for Shutdown'

June 24: Local Nonprofits, Hospitals Brace for Shutdown

June 23: 169 Project, Taxpayers: Political Pawns as Shutdown Looms?

June 23: State Shutdown Would Freeze DNR, Close State Parks

June 23: Hennepin County Battens Down Hatches for Shutdown

Share your shutdown photos or stories with Minnetonka Editor Katelynn Metz.

Keep up with shutdown developments on our Minnetonka Patch Facebook page.

****

Shutdown coverage from around the state: 

July 4:
The Business Times: Holiday weekend in Minnesota with state services idle
Kare 11: Businesses struggling in shutdown but still open
Kare 11: Minnesota Zoo back open, horse track still closed
Minnesota Public Radio: Marking July 4th during a government shutdown
Northland’s News Center: Tourists Hit Minnesota State Parks Despite Government Shut Down
Politico: Cooling-off period in Minnesota
Pioneer Press: Libertarians see opportunity in Minnesota shutdown
Pioneer Press: Disabled girl's family on edge without Minnesota aid during shutdown
Star Tribune: Businesses feel immediate bite
WDAY: Family Camps in Own Backyard due to Minnesota Shutdown

July 3:
CNN: Minnesota government shutdown could last days longer
KARE 11: Food shelves bracing for government shutdown impact
KSTP-TV: Shutdown Creates Block on Background Checks
Pioneer Press: Battle lines that preceded state government shutdown were drawn between Dayton, GOP after last fall's elections
Politico: Minnesota mean at heart of government shutdown
Reuters: Minnesotans frustrated, angry over state government shutdown
Star Tribune: Shutdown cost will bring sticker shock
Star Tribune: Losing 'non-essential' services hurts
Star Tribune: Dozens flow in at outset of Minnesota Zoo reopening
WDAY: No Talks Expected Before Tuesday for Minnesota Shutdown

July 2:
Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota state employees call for budget compromise
NPR: Minnesota Shutdown Hits Vulnerable First
New York Times: Closing a State? The Rules Are Tricky
KARE 11: State workers shudder at indefinite shutdown
KARE 11: Family finances get a new look after officials fail to fix the state's budget
Reuters: Minnesotans frustrated, angry over state government shutdown
Star Tribune: No holiday from the impasse
Star Tribune: 'Closed' doesn't deter park visitors
Pioneer Press: Who's to blame? Depends on who's doing the talking
Pioneer Press: For those cut off from aid, a plea: 'What about us?'

July 1:
Finance & Commerce: Shutdown not seen harming Minnesota’s reputation
KSTP-TV: What's Open or Closed During Government Shutdown
Minnesota Public Radio: Recap: A week of negotiation ends in stalemate
Minnesota Public Radio: Confusion over which services will be funded
New York Times: No End in Sight as Minnesotans Grapple With State Shutdown
Pioneer Press: What can you do during the shutdown?
Politico: Minnesota government shutdown puts Tim Pawlenty in spotlight
Star Tribune: Judge hears argument over zoo shutdown
Star Tribune: What's open, what's closed: your guide to the state shutdown
Washington Post: Minnesota government shutdown reflects widespread budget paralysis

June 30:
MinnPost: GOP leaders again seek special session, but Dayton says global deal needed first