Environment panel considers expanded drinking water protections

A proposal to improve protections for the state’s drinking water flowed through the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee Monday.

HF1314, sponsored by Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL-Northfield), seeks to expand water protection for Minnesota’s most vulnerable aquifers by including rivers and groundwater sources that serve private wells in the Department of Health’s Source Water Protection Program for, in part, increased monitoring, mapping of water quality and flow, and policy and planning development.

The bill’s next stop is the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. Its companion, SF1403, is sponsored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls) and awaits action by the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.

Lippert’s bill is one of 13 developed through priorities identified by the Legislative Water Commission, according to Director Jim Stark.

“The safety of our drinking water is one of the most critical responsibilities of government,” Stark said. “… In order to protect our drinking water, we need to expand existing source water programs to the protection of rivers and to the protection of aquifers that are vulnerable.”

The implications extend beyond human health, Stark said. Water quality and quantity are necessary to the functioning of the state’s economy. Identifying ways to incentivize water protection and direct policy are needed because approximately 11 percent of the private wells providing drinking water to about 1.1 million Minnesotans already exceed standards for nitrates, a nutrient contaminant.

Also referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division was HF1141. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL-Woodbury), it would provide $350,000 for a study on the potential use of managed aquifer recharge in areas with dropping water levels.

Its companion, SF1643, sponsored by Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee.