Karen Voz, Principal Planner
Minnesota Department of Health
Aaron Meyer, Groundwater Specialist
Minnesota Rural Water Association
April 2nd 2015
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Information in this document is available in
alternative formats to individuals with disabilities
upon request by calling or emailing George Minerich
at (320) 223-7314 or email at
George.Minerich@state.mn.us
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
What is a management strategy

What is the purpose of a management strategy

What makes a management strategy effective

Components of management strategies

Mock community scenario

Do’s and Don’ts

Amendments, grants and audits as they relate to
management strategies
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
Methods or a plan of action implemented by the Public
Water Supplier (PWS) to prevent the contamination of a
public water supply
◦ Plan of Action = Measures = Management Strategies

Rule citation and number 4720.5250 Objectives and Plan of Action
4

Provide direction to community to
accomplish their goals

Protection of groundwater through
management of potential contaminants
Rule citation and number 4720.5250
5

Be SMART
◦S
◦M
◦A
◦R
◦T
pecific
easurable
chievable
elevant
iming
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◦ PWS can clearly understand
what they want to accomplish
◦ Measures should be clear and
concise
◦ Be understandable to both
current and future staff
Measure
A-1
WHP Measure
Mail out a survey to all
landowners within the DWSMA
asking them to identify unused,
unsealed wells on their
property. Include information
regarding Source Water
Protection grant funds
Priority
High
Objective Timeframe
Data
Collection
2015
Cost
Cooperator
MDH,
Staff
MRWA,
time and
landowners,
$300
SWCD
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◦ The PWS clearly understands what
they need to do and how they should
document their actions
 Evaluations
 Audits
Measure
A-1
WHP Measure
Mail out a survey to all
landowners within the DWSMA
asking them to identify unused,
unsealed wells on their
property. Include information
regarding Source Water
Protection grant funds
Priority
High
Objective Timeframe
Data
Collection
2015
Cost
Cooperator
MDH,
Staff
MRWA,
time and
landowners,
$300
SWCD
8

Measure
A-1
The measure is realistic and
attainable by the PWS given
available resources.
WHP Measure
Mail out a survey to all
landowners within the DWSMA
asking them to identify unused,
unsealed wells on their
property. Include information
regarding Source Water
Protection grant funds
Priority
High
Objective Timeframe
Data
Collection
2015
Cost
Cooperator
MDH,
Staff
MRWA,
time and
landowners,
$300
SWCD
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◦ The measure effectively
manages potential
contaminant sources or
drinking water issues to
minimize risk to the public
water supply.
Measure
A-1
WHP Measure
Mail out a survey to all
landowners within the DWSMA
asking them to identify unused,
unsealed wells on their
property. Include information
regarding Source Water
Protection grant funds
Priority
High
Objective Timeframe
Data
Collection
2015
Cost
Cooperator
MDH,
Staff
MRWA,
time and
landowners,
$300
SWCD
10

Measure
A-1
Each action has a specific timeframe.
WHP Measure
Mail out a survey to all
landowners within the DWSMA
asking them to identify unused,
unsealed wells on their
property. Include information
regarding Source Water
Protection grant funds
Priority
High
Objective Timeframe
Data
Collection
2015
Cost
Cooperator
MDH,
Staff
MRWA,
time and
landowners,
$300
SWCD
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
Data Elements and Potential Contaminant Sources
• Rule citation and number 4720.5200 & 4720.5500

Changes Identified, and Impact of Changes
• Rule citation and number 4720.5220

Issues, Problems, and Opportunities
•

Goals/Objectives
•

Rule citation and number 4720.5230
Rule citation and number 4720.5240
Prioritization
•
Rule citation and number 4720.5250
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MDH white papers
 http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/factsheet/whp/index.html
MRWA Source Water Protection Resources
 http://www.mrwa.com/swedu.html
Management strategies menus (available on MRWA Website)
 “WHP Measures to Address Potential Risks to Drinking Water In
Non-vulnerable Aquifer Settings”
 “Management Strategies Menu”
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
The City of Pretendville is a community
of 3,201 people located in Minnesota.

The City has two DWSMAs.
DWSMA #1 - two wells (Wells 1 & 2)
DWSMA #2 - two wells (Wells 3 & 4)

WHP Part I developed by MDH.

WHP Part II being developed by Y.O.U. Inc. consulting firm

The city’s goal is to promote public health and economic
development by maintaining a safe drinking water supply for
all residents of the community, both now and into the future.
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DWSMA #1:
High Vulnerability
 Wells 1 and 2 are approx. 60’
deep and located in a
surficial aquifer with no
protection.
 Water quality testing of
wells 1 and 2 show nitrate
levels fluctuating seasonally
from 5-7 ppm and high
chlorides.
 Potential contaminant
concerns: Must identify all
potential contaminants.
 Particular emphasis on
sources of nitrates and
chlorides (Ag. runoff, storm
water, transportation
corridors, etc…)
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DWSMA #2:
Low Vulnerability
 Wells 3 and 4 are 300’
deep and have good
geological protection.
 One unused unsealed
old municipal well.
 Potential contaminant
concerns: Other wells,
Class V injection wells
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
DWSMA #1 – Mgmt.
strategies addressing
water quality
concerns/issues.

DWMSA #2 – Mgmt.
strategies addressing an
old municipal well
(potential contaminant
source) concern and lack
of geological data (data
elements).
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In 2015, mail a copy of the MDH
Well Management brochure to all
landowners within the DWSMA.
In 2015, place copies of
educational materials (fact
sheets/brochures) addressing
the proper management of the
potential contaminants identified
in the WHP plan on the wall
display at city hall. Informational
materials can be found on the
MRWA website.
Provide well management
educational materials.
Place wellhead protection
educational materials in city hall.
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In 2015, convene a meeting with
local, state and federal agencies
working with ag. producers to develop
a plan to address nutrient
management issues within the
DWSMA.
In 2015, contact NRCS and the
Department of Agriculture to obtain
factsheets which promote nitrogen
best management practices and mail
them to landowners within the
DWSMA.
In 2016, convene a meeting
comprised of staff from the city public
works dept. and the county highway
dept. to discuss the importance of
managing chloride levels and provide
educational materials to educate them
on proper salt usage, storage and
truck calibration.
Address nitrate issues
Provide educational materials to ag
producers
Reduce chloride levels
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In 2018, explore retrofitting
or relocation options
(downstream) for storm
water outlets that are
currently upstream of Wells
1 and 2.
In 2016, convene a
meeting with local
emergency response
personnel and agencies to
develop a spill response
protocol for spills within the
DWSMA .
Reduce storm water runoff
Purchase spill response
equipment
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In 2020, contact the MDH
Hydrologist and based upon their
recommendations install
continuous water level monitoring
and recording equipment in one of
public water supply wells.
Measure static water level.
In 2020, mail out a survey to all
residents within one mile of the
DWSMA boundary to obtain well
log information for new wells
drilled between 2015-2020.
Identify new wells within one mile
of the DWSMA.
In 2015, contact the MN Dept. of
Health Well Mgmt. and ask that
they assist with locating and
sealing the old municipal well.
Seal old wells.
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
Evaluate the management
strategies from the original plan.






What was accomplished?
What worked?
What didn’t work?
What changed?
Did you meet the goals and
objectives?
Develop new management strategies


Apply SMART
Higher expectations!!
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◦ Write management
strategies to maximize
grant opportunities.
◦ Separate the
management strategy
into steps.
◦ Ensure all steps are
understood.
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◦ Make sure management strategies can be easily
documented.
 Phone call
 Email
 Letter
 Picture
 Invoice
 Printed materials
 Distribution list
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
Management strategies are the nuts and bolts that
protect the drinking water source.

Be SMART
◦S
◦M
◦A
◦R
◦T
pecific
easurable
chievable
elevant
iming
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






Jenilynn Marchand
◦ 218-308-2153
Chris Parthun
◦ 218-308-2109
George Minerich
◦ 320-223-7314
Karen Voz
◦ 320-223-7322
John Freitag
◦ 651-201-4669
Amanda Strommer
◦ 507-476-4241
Pat Bailey
◦ 507-206-2741
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Dave Neiman
◦ 218-820-0595
 Robyn Hoerr
◦ 218-821-5028
 Aaron Meyer
◦ 320-808-7293
 Mike Strodtman
◦ 320-815-7568

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Management Strategies Workgroup
 Dave Neiman, MRWA
 dave.neiman@mrwa.com
 218-820-0595

Jenilynn Marchand, MDH
 Jenilynn.Marchand@state.mn.us
 218-308-2153

Karen Voz, MDH
 karen.s.voz@state.mn.us
 320-223-7322

Aaron Meyer, MRWA
 aaron.meyer@mrwa.com
 320-808-7293
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
Thank you for attending the Wellhead Protection
Webinars!

All the sessions have been recorded and will be
available at http://www.mrwa.com/swwebinars.html
◦ General Overview of the WHP Planning Process
◦ In Depth Discussion and Review of Data Elements
◦ Requirements for Completing a Potential Contaminant Source
Inventory
◦ Developing Well Written Management Strategies

Additional technical tools and materials are available via
MRWA website.
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