For the second year in a row, Moorhead Public Service (MPS) was selected as having the best tasting drinking water in the state of Minnesota. "The Best in Glass" was awarded to MPS in September 2010 at the conference for the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Providing high-quality drinking water is the result of MPS’ investment in water treatment technology and great people to operate that technology. In another exciting MPS development, Mike Rowe and the crew for ‘Dirty Jobs’ recently filmed at MPS’ Water Treatment Plant. This episode will air on The Discovery Channel in the fall of 2011, showing MPS staff doing some of the dirty jobs that are required to get the best tasting drinking water in the state.

Over the past few years, the flooding issues have been extremely stressful for our community. MPS received good news, however, regarding future protection of a critical part of our water treatment process. MPS has been awarded $2.7 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a flood mitigation project at the river pump station. The pump station is located on the Red River and supplies over 80 percent of the raw water to MPS’ Water Treatment Plant annually. During flood events, the river pump station is at risk of catastrophic damage and operates at reduced flow. Construction of the flood mitigation project will take place in 2012. This project will raise critical equipment to minimize vulnerability during flood events and replace an intake screen that is prone to plugging with debris. With the FEMA funding, MPS will be able to complete an important project in the water system infrastructure, while keeping water rates stable.

While water in the valley has been abundant for many years, there will likely be times of extreme drought conditions in the future, such as in the 1930s. For this reason, MPS is investigating options for future development of drought emergency water resources. One option is the development of a plan for aquifer management in western Clay County. The Buffalo Aquifer, located a few miles east of Moorhead, would be a key component of any aquifer management plan. MPS continues to monitor activities and plans that could negatively affect the Buffalo Aquifer, such as the Minnesota option for a flood diversion.

MPS’ mission is to provide drinking water of high quality and sufficient quantity for our community, its residents, and businesses, now, and into the future. For the second year in a row, MPS has been recognized as a regional leader in water quality. This designation is a result of many current and former employees, including long-time employees─Cliff McLain, Ken Mantei, and Jeff Wettstein─who recently retired from their service at MPS. Following their example, MPS employees will continue to proactively plan and operate a high-quality water system.

Sincerely,

Bill Schwandt, PE MBA
General Manager

2009 & 2010 "The Best in Glass" Award
Minnesota's Best Tasting Drinking Water

Click on the links below for each section of the 2010 Drinking Water Report.