Not long ago, the discovery of perfluorinated compounds in some east metro communities made headlines. Later, volatile organic chlorides were reported in St. Louis Park and other communities. Meanwhile, Minnesotans are warned each summer about the number of fish from certain waters they can eat, and which lakes or rivers might be unsafe for swimming.

In November, in the midst of an economic downturn, Minnesotans cared enough about water to raise their own taxes. Simply said, Minnesotans want safe drinking water and lakes and rivers where they can fish and swim.

The Clean Water funds raised from the Legacy Amendment provide the resources and stability we need to address the degradation of Minnesota waters. The Clean Water bill before the Minnesota Senate directs $151 million from a portion of the sales tax increase to projects that range from well-water protection, stream-bank restoration in Hennepin County and a Buffalo River watershed pilot plan to a brand-new idea to reuse wastewater at an ethanol plant in southern Minnesota. It is based on four cornerstones:

  • It is grounded in good science and best-management practices.

  • It puts in place a long-term strategic plan.

  • It represents the priorities proposed by scientists and citizens (the Clean Water Council and the Freshwater Society, among others), as well as a consensus among stakeholders, including environmental and agricultural groups, local units of government and the chamber of commerce.

  • The bill is organized around the principal functions necessary to accomplish our task.

    The scope of the charge before us is sobering. Reports show that about three-fourths of the chloride in the road salt applied each winter remains in the lakes, wetlands and soil after spring arrives. Meanwhile, places like Worthington in the dry southwestern part of the state are seeking to import water from wells along the Missouri River in South Dakota. Nitrogen compounds from farm fertilizers have been found in concentrations that exceed drinking water standards in central Minnesota, and the Pollution Control Agency reports that about 40 percent of the half million septic systems across the state do not meet state standards. Depletion of groundwater in some areas has affected trout streams and wetlands. Where do we begin?

    Thanks to the stability from the constitutional amendment funds, we can take a statewide, systematic approach to protect and restore Minnesota's waters. This long-term, focused strategy is a "game changer" that will address the waters of all 81 major watersheds in 10 years.

    Our efforts will be targeted in a manner that shows results in the following areas that stakeholders agree should be our top priorities:

    Surface waters: All 81 major watersheds in Minnesota will be tested within 10 years, and plans will be put in place to restore and protect the waters. This assessment and protection approach will not only bring efficiency and predictability to our efforts, it will leverage federal and local dollars.

    Water moves, carrying with it a mix of silt, salt, solvents and other particles that affect its quality. Water conditions around the state vary considerably and, depending on geography and conditions, the process to restore waters may take a couple of years to, in some cases, generations.

    Drinking water: The bill places a greater emphasis on monitoring drinking water quality, and provides funds so communities can develop and implement source water protection plans. Approximately 90 percent of Minnesotans get their drinking water from groundwater, which is being used faster than it is replaced, raising concerns about sustainability.

    Groundwater: There are still many unknowns regarding groundwater, so we need to obtain baseline information to address both the quality and the quantity of our groundwater resources. Groundwater and surface water are interdependent and interact with each other. We cannot protect one without protecting the other.

    Science-based decisions: Quality information and data are the bedrock of good decisions. Right now, for example, there's a need for more data about emerging concerns around new contaminants from personal use products that are entering the water supply and that cannot be removed with current wastewater treatment technology.

    Education and citizen participation: Volunteer involvement in assessing waters, along with partnerships with local communities on water improvement plans, foster a public informed on the role water plays in our lives and economy. Strong collaboration among various stakeholder groups will be key to our success.

    We will know we are making progress if:

  • Individuals and communities put greater value on water and are working to conserve it.

  • Municipalities and landowners adopt proven best-management practices and have achieved measurable reduction in pollution within small watersheds.

  • We rely less on groundwater for uses that can be met with surface water and recycled water.

  • Trend analysis tells us not only whether our groundwater meets minimum standards, but also if it is getting better or worse.

  • Completion of a comprehensive evaluation of groundwater sustainability earns widespread agreement.

    The Clean Water bill marks the beginning of a long journey. It represents a coordinated, long-term approach that maximizes dollars for high efficiency and accountability when it comes to protecting and restoring Minnesota's waters.

    As former Sen. Edmund Muskie said, "High quality water is more than the dream of the conservationists, more than a political slogan; high quality water, in the right quantity at the right place at the right time, is essential to health, recreation and economic growth."

    State Sen. Sandy Rummel, DFL-White Bear Lake, is the chair of the Senate Clean Water Legacy Subcommittee. Call her at 651-296-1253, send e-mail to sen.sandy.rummel@senate.mn or regular mail at 323 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155.