Minnesota's drinking water largely safe, according to MDH report
Long Island, N.Y.: Water being poured into a glass from a faucet on Long Island, New York on Oct. 4, 2022. (Photo by Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A report from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that nearly 98% of Minnesotans who get drinking water from a community public water system met all federal standards throughout the year.
The report says that although the state faces some issues with water quantity, quality, and an aging infrastructure drinking water is generally doing well in the state’s 6,649 public water systems.
"The health of our drinking water sources is interconnected with the health of our communities, environment and climate," Gov. Tim Walz said in a proclamation during Safe Drinking Water Week. "Protection of drinking water sources is achieved through collective action, collaboration and partnerships."
MDH’s report said it identified five keys areas to ensure access to clean, safe water:
- Efforts to identify and address new contaminants, such as PFAS, that could affect drinking water quality.
- Ongoing measures to protect users of public water systems from lead contamination in homes, schools and child care facilities.
- Infrastructure needs, particularly with regard to funding the replacement of lead service lines.
- Resiliency in dealing with severe weather events brought on by climate change.
- Health equity and affordable water as a human right.