Spring Park Water Softener and Drinking Water Guide
The City of Spring Park provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: three wells ranging from 391 to 790 feet deep, which draw water from the Franconia-Mt. Simon and Jordan aquifers.
TCE in Spring Park Water
Recent tests show that Tricholoroethylene (TCE) has contaminated aquifers in Spring Park and low levels of TCE have been detected in 2 of the city’s 3 wells.
Well water is treated at the municipal water plant before it is supplied to residents. This treated water is routinely sampled to make sure federal standards are met, and levels never exceed 5ppb (parts per billion).
The Minnesota Department of Health changed their recommended maximum level for TCE, called a “health based value,” to 2 ppb for healthy adults and 0.4 ppb for all persons, including infants, children and persons with impaired immune systems.
- Soft Water
- National Hardness Average
- Spring Park Water Hardness
Spring Park MN Water Softener Recommendations
The national average for water hardness is 5gpg (grains per gallon). Spring Park, MN water hardness is 28-30gpg, which is 6x harder than average.
A water softener will protect your water heater, plumbing, and appliances from hard water damage. A high efficiency water softener will offer the same protection, but will use far less water and salt.
Need the Right Water Softener or Filter for Your Home in Spring Park, MN?
Contact us for a FREE water test and site inspection. We’ll get you a FREE quote to help you get the water quality you want.
Spring Park Water Reports
The City of Spring Park, MN does regular water testing and publishes the results in Annual Drinking Water Reports. These reports explain which water contaminants, and what levels have been found.
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
The legal limit for a certain contaminant
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL
The level with ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”
All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Health Limit have been highlighted below.
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants include natural and manmade salts and metals. You are mostly exposed to inorganics through drinking water, most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have almost ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1.01 | 0 | 10 | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.085 | 2 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 0.88-4.4 | 4 | 4 | Bone disease;children may get mottled teeth |
| Nitrate | 0.82-0.90 | 10 | 10 | Blue-baby syndrome |
Organic Contaminants
Organic contaminants can come from either natural sources like algae, or man-made chemicals. You can be exposed through drinking water, absorption through skin (bathing), and inhalation. This makes a Hybrid Filter System, or Whole House Carbon Filter a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 2.8 | 70 | 70 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 2.2 | 0 | 5 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Trichloroethylene | 1.4-1.7 | 0 | 5 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Xylenes | 0.13-0.4 | 1.8 | 100 | Nervous system damage |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. Disinfectants like Chlorine react with other chemicals and create “Disinfection Byproducts. These chemicals enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.7-0.8 | 4 | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 15.46-46.0 | 5.7 | 80 | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Haloacetic Acids | 7.1-9.4 | 0 | 80 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 22.9-58.6 | 0 | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
Radionuclide Contaminants
Radionuclides in water may occur naturally, or come from oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitter | 8.9-14.3 | 0 | 15.4 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 1.5-2.1 | 0 | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 240-275 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from Spring Park’s water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG).