Annual Water Quality Report

Report Introduction

Committed to Safe Drinking Water

We take pride in providing you with quality drinking water at a reasonable cost. Every day, SPRWS produces an average of 40 million gallons of drinking water and distributes it through 1,200 miles of water main to 450,000 residents of Saint Paul and the surrounding communities. To participate in decisions that may affect the quality of the water supplied by SPRWS, the public may attend the Board of Water Commissioners meetings held at 5 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month either in room 330 at Saint Paul City Hall , 15 Kellogg Blvd. W., Saint Paul, MN or at 1900 Rice Street, Saint Paul, MN. Please check the Board of Water Commissioner's page for the location of that month’s meeting.

How to Read Results

Monitoring Results

This report contains our monitoring results from January 1 to December 31, 2024.

We work with the Minnesota Department of Health to test drinking water for more than 100 contaminants. It is not unusual to detect contaminants in small amounts. No water supply is ever completely free of contaminants. Drinking water standards protect Minnesotans from substances that may be harmful to their health.

Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health’s webpage Basics of Monitoring and testing of Drinking Water in Minnesota

How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables

The tables below show the contaminants we found last year or the most recent time we sampled for that contaminant. They also show the levels of those contaminants and the Environmental Protection Agency’s limits. Substances that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables.

We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables below with the detection date.

We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Some contaminants are monitored regularly throughout the year, and rolling (or moving) annual averages are used to manage compliance. Because of this averaging, there are times where the Range of Detected Test Results for the calendar year is lower than the Highest Average or Highest Single Test Result, because it occurred in the previous calendar year.

Definitions

AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MRDL (Maximum residual disinfectant level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG (Maximum residual disinfectant level goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

N/A (Not applicable): Does not apply.

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): A measure of the cloudiness of the water (turbidity).

ppm (parts per million): One part per million is like one drop in one million drops of water, or about one cup in a swimming pool. ppm is the same as milligrams per liter (mg/l).

ppb (parts per billion): One part per billion in water is like one drop in one billion drops of water, or about one drop in a swimming pool. ppb is the same as micrograms per liter (μg/l).

ppt (parts per trillion): One part per trillion is like one drop in one trillion drops of water, or about one drop in an Olympic sized swimming pool. ppt is the same as nanograms per liter (ng/l).

One ppm is one second in about 11.6 days.

One ppb is one second in about 31.7 years.

One ppt is one second in about 31,709 years.

PWSID: Public water system identification.

TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Test Results

Regulated Substances Related to Disinfection and Test in Drinking Water

Inorganic and Organic Substances Tested in Drinking Water

Other Substances Tested in Drinking Water 

Treatment Indicator Tested During Treatment

Disinfection By-product Indicator Tested in Source Water and Drinking Water

Regulated Substances Tested at the Customer's Tap

Unregulated Substances

In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water.

The following table shows the unregulated contaminants we detected last year, as well as human-health based guidance values for comparison, where available. MDH, EPA and other health agencies may have developed comparison values for some of these compounds. Some of these comparison values are based only on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations or the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. These values may be set at levels that are costly, challenging, or impossible for water systems to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). Sample data are listed along with comparison values in the table below; it is important to note that these comparison values are not enforceable.

Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The significance of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time.

A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little to no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions-like a fetus, infants, children, elderly, and people with impaired immunity—may need to take extra precautions. We are notifying you of the unregulated contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity. Unregulated substances More information is available on:

MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water

Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4)

Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule

EPA UCMR 5 Data Finder: The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) Data finder allows people to easily search for, summarize, and download the available UCMR 5 analytical results.

EPA has developed a UCMR5 Program Overview Factsheet describing UCMR 5 contaminants and standards.

In the past year, your drinking water may have been tested for additional unregulated contaminants and results are still being processed as part of the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule

Unregulated Substances Tested in the Drinking Water

*Note that home water softening can increase the level of sodium in your water.

Note About PFAS

In early 2024, MDH released new comparison values for two PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS. MDH is still evaluating how to apply these comparison values to drinking water systems. Additionally, EPA released final MCLs for PFOA at 4.0 ppt, PFOS at 4.0 ppt, PFHxS at 10 ppt, HFPO-DA (Gen X) at 10 ppt, PFNA at 10 ppt, and a calculated Hazard Index at 1 (unitless) that will become enforceable April 26, 2029. Additional Information on PFAS system results is available at: Interactive Dashboard for PFAS Testing in Drinking Water - MN Dept. of Health

Vulnerable Populations

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. The developing fetus and therefore pregnant women may also be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water. These people or their caregivers should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Source Water

Your drinking water primarily comes from surface water sources drawn from the Mississippi River and the Chain of Lakes.

SPRWS also has a groundwater back-up supply of 10 wells ranging from 425 to 465 feet deep that draw water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan aquifer. These are used as needed.

The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on your drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources.

Contact our lab at 651-266-1635 if you have questions about SPRWS drinking water or email us at waterlab@ci.stpaul.mn.us

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets safe drinking water standards. These standards limit the amounts of specific contaminants allowed in drinking water. This ensures that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Bottled water must provide the same public health protection as public tap water.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791

Minnesota’s primary drinking water sources are groundwater and surface water. Groundwater is the water found in aquifers beneath the surface of the land, and it supplies 75 percent of Minnesota drinking water. Surface water is the water in lakes, rivers, and streams above the surface of the land. Surface water supplies 25 percent of Minnesota drinking water.

Contaminants can get in drinking water sources from the natural environment and from people’s daily activities. There are five main types of contaminants in drinking water sources (see below).

Main Source Water Contaminants

1. Microbial contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Sources include sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, pets, and wildlife.
2. Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals from natural sources (e.g. rock and soil), oil and gas production, mining and farming operations, urban stormwater runoff, and wastewater discharges.
3. Pesticides and herbicides are chemicals used to reduce or kill unwanted plants and pests. Sources include agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and commercial and residential properties.
4. Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic compounds. Sources include industrial processes and petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
5. Radioactive contaminants such as radium, thorium, and uranium isotopes come from natural sources (e.g. radon gas from soils and rock), mining operations, and oil and gas production.

SPRWS Source Water Assessment

The Minnesota Department of Health provides information about your drinking water source(s) in a source water assessment, including:

• How Saint Paul Regional Water Services is protecting your drinking water source(s).
• Nearby threats to your drinking water sources.
• How easily water and pollution can move from the surface of the land into drinking water sources, based on natural geology and the way wells are constructed.

Find your source water assessment at Source Water Assessments: Call 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to MDH's Source Water Assessments page.

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead can cause serious health problems, babies, children under six years, and pregnant women are at the highest risk. You may be in contact with lead through paint, water, dust, soil, food, hobbies, or your job. There is no safe level of lead.

Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Our water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes from service lines but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.

Read below to learn how you can protect yourself from lead in drinking water.

1. Let the water run before drinking tap water; flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap. If you have a lead service line, you may need to let the water run longer. A service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the main water pipe under the street to your home.
   1. Activities such as taking a shower, doing laundry or dishes help keep water moving in your home system but are not a replacement for running the tap before you drink if it has not been used for a long period of time.
   2. The only way to know if lead has been reduced by letting it run is to check with a test. If letting the water run does not Lead in drinking water reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure.
2. Know your service line materials by contacting your public water system, or you can search for your address online at the Minnesota Lead Inventory Tracking Tool or go to stpaul.gov/lead-free.
   1. Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead is the EPA’s step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
3. Use cold water for drinking, making food, and making baby formula. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water.
4. Test your water. In most cases, letting the water run and using cold water for drinking and cooking should keep lead levels low in your drinking water. If you are still concerned about lead, arrange with a laboratory to test your tap water. Testing your water is important if young children or pregnant women drink your tap water.
   1. Contact a Minnesota Department of Health accredited laboratory to purchase a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample: Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. The Minnesota Department of Health can help you understand your test results. Or visit SPRWS at 1900 Rice Street M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and pick up a sample bottle to have your water tested for lead for free.
5. Treat your water if a test shows your water has high levels of lead after you let the water run. You can use a filter certified with ANSI/NSF standards 53 for lead reduction.
   1. Read about water treatment units: Point-of-Use Water Treatment Units for Lead Reduction Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and other steps you can take to minimize exposure are available at:
   2. Visit EPA Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water
   3. Visit the Minnesota department of Health Lead in Drinking Water
   4. To learn about how to reduce your contact with lead from sources other than your drinking water, visit Lead Poisoning Prevention: Common Sources
6. Be aware: Head Start Programs, Child Care Centers, Public and Charter Schools all have requirements to test for lead in drinking water. You can Learn more about these programs and about requirements and resources for testing and remediation at MDH Drinking Water in Schools and Child Cares

Lead Inventory

Reducing Lead in the System

While the utility has been working since the 1980s to remove lead service lines in the system, we recently renewed our efforts with a 10-year initiative, Lead Free SPRWS, to get the rest of the lead pipes out of the service system by the year 2033. Starting in 2024, we were required to submit an inventory of all service lines. This included all lead, non-lead, and those we don’t have enough information to determine if they are lead, to the Minnesota Department of Health. In addition, the utility sent letters last fall to all our billing accounts with information on whether that property had lead, didn’t have lead, or we didn’t know the service line materials. The MDH put that information on a map of all of the properties in our service area and what their service lines are made of. You can also go to stpaul.gov/lead-free and use the service material map for SPRWS customers.

This customer education and outreach about lead in our system will be an annual event as long as there is lead in the system.

As of December 6, 2024, we had 95,829 billing accounts and of those, 71,172 or the vast majority, are not lead. Another 5,425 services lines are made of unknown material that must be determined to find out if they are lead. A total of 19,232 are known to be lead and in need of replacement. Three service lines are made of galvanized pipe and must be replaced.

Since the kick-off of our pilot program for our Lead Free SPRWS initiative in 2022, we have removed 1,964 lead service lines in both the right-of-way and private property. We are on track to remove 2,300 lead service lines from our system in 2025 to reduce that number even further.

And in the coming years, we are increasing the number of replacements. In 2026, we plan to replace 3,000 lead service lines, and in years 2027-2029, we intend to replace 3,500 lead service lines per year before gradually scaling down until we reach 1,500 replacements in 2032 and finish up the replacement work by the end of 2033.