BPU to consider permanent chlorination of Brainerd's water

The city of Brainerd has the largest unchlorinated drinking water system in the state, but that could soon change as Brainerd Public Utilities officials grapple with the decision whether to make chlorination permanent.

Brainerd Public Utilities (BPU) commissioners will meet to discuss the option of chlorinating Brainerd's drinking water on a permanent basis at noon Monday.

Chlorine was added to the water system around 6:30 p.m. Saturday to combat contamination that might have occurred due to a water main break and loss of power at the plant Thursday.

BPU officials reported Friday that of 12 tests done on Brainerd's water system, one returned positive for bacteria, prompting an extension of a water boil order for a minimum of one week or until further notice and a meeting with MDH officials on Saturday that led to the chlorination decision.

BPU employees began flushing the system Sunday to encourage the chlorine to distribute throughout the system. BPU Superintendent Scott Magnuson said residents may notice a discoloration of their water as iron and manganese break loose from water mains. While it doesn't pose a health threat, Magnuson suggested people run their faucets for a few minutes before using water for cooking or laundry. Chlorinated water also shouldn't be used in fish tanks or by bait shops, BPU said.

Magnuson said Brainerd is "very much an outlier" when it comes to chlorination.

"The state's been trying to get us to do it for 32 years for this very reason that we're in right now," he said.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) official David Schultz said although the state can't force Brainerd to permanently chlorinate its water, the department strongly recommends it.

"Chlorination is a safeguard from any contamination that can get into the distribution system, such as the event that just happened," Schultz said. "People have been ill from drinking (unchlorinated) city water, and that's what we're trying to prevent."

Magnuson said there are people who support chlorination to potentially prevent situations like the one Brainerd is currently facing, but there are also those who oppose it for the sake of pristine water.

Mayor James Wallin is one who opposes permanent chlorination.

Wallin said he has no problem with chlorination when used in response to an event like Thursday's, but he does not want to see Brainerd's water supply adulterated.

"I have no problem at all chlorinating, because if there's something in the water that could make people sick, we need to address that," Wallin said. "As far as permanently putting chlorine in the water, I don't buy that. We've got the purest water ... When you've got pure water, there is no reason in God's little green acres why you should mess it up."

Both Magnuson and Wallin were unsure Sunday whether the permanent use of chlorine in city water would require an action from city council. Magnuson said BPU would likely be consulting Brainerd city attorney Eric Quiring on the matter.

Wallin said if BPU is able to make the decision on its own, he will still issue a recommendation against chlorination.

"I'd tell them forget it," Wallin said. "I do not want it. Being the mayor of Brainerd, I do have not a lot of authority, but I can make recommendations, and that would be one of them."

Baxter has utilized chlorination since the first water treatment plant in the city was built in 1979, said Trevor Walter, public works director in Baxter. He said he is not aware of a situation in which Baxter has faced a water boil order.

The city does receive occasional complaints about the smell or taste of the water, he said, although those complaints have declined since the newest water treatment plant opened in 2007.

"Since we got the new water treatment plant ... we're able to regulate it a lot better and control it a lot better," said Walter. "The chances of you getting bacteria growth, there's still a chance, but it (chlorination) really drops the percentage big time."

BPU has chlorinated the water system at least twice in the past, once in 2009 following a positive test for total coliform bacteria near a construction site and once in 1987.

While total coliform bacteria itself is harmless, it can be an indicator of the presence of more harmful bacteria, such as the pathogen E. coli. Magnuson stressed no E. coli has been found in the system in Friday's tests.

The loss in pressure Thursday morning triggered the initial water boil order, per MDH requirements, and the presence of any bacteria in the system following a loss of pressure means there is a likelihood that some kind of back siphonage, backflow or back pressure occurred, said Schultz.

"You can get some unwanted water into the distribution system," he said. "We don't take it lightly. It's a very serious issue, and you can't just brush this stuff under a rug and walk away. That's why we stayed on with the boiling water, being super cautious and chlorinating, too."

Schultz said he could not put a time frame on how long it will be before the boil order is lifted. The chlorine needs to be distributed fully throughout and must be present at the outer edges of the system at a minimum of 1 part per million for 48 hours. Then, the system needs to be flushed completely of chlorine to avoid a false negative result of bacteria. Once the system is flushed, MDH will test a number of sites again. Assuming these tests come back negative, the boil order could be lifted.

MDH will continue to monitor Brainerd's water supply for a minimum of one month, and a positive result at any time could potentially trigger another boil order, depending on the type of bacteria.

Meanwhile, Brainerd residents and business owners have been forced to deal with the water boil order. Unable to serve water, fountain soda or make their own ice, at least two and likely more businesses have been closed entirely.

Shelves at Cub Foods in Brainerd were nearly empty of water Saturday afternoon, with a sign promising a water delivery later in the evening.

More than 30 volunteers from the Brainerd Fire Department, Salvation Army and American Red Cross helped distribute cases of water donated by SuperAmerica on Saturday afternoon at Brainerd City Hall.

Fire Chief Kevin Stunek estimated 2,000 to 2,500 people showed up to receive free water.

"It's really nice when you're faced with somewhat of a crisis, how you can lean on people and volunteers and they step forward," he said. "Just a great big thank you from my part."

Stunek said Wal-Mart in Baxter will also donate water to residents, and he is currently working with the company on details for when this water will be distributed.

For more information on the boil order or chlorination, go to www.bpu.org , or refer to www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/factsheet/emergency/index.html for factsheets on drinking water advisories. General guidelines regarding water quality safety are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Editor Matt Erickson contributed to this report.

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1/2: Firefighter Clint Headley and Emma Headley stack bottled water at the edge of the truck carrying 1,800 cases of water donated by SuperAmerica. The water was handed out Saturday to Brainerd residents, who are still under a boil order, at the Brainerd City Hall parking lot. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)

2/2: American Red Cross volunteer Tina Jay hands bottled water to Brainerd residents Saturday at the Brainerd City Hall parking lot. SuperAmerica donated 1,800 cases of water and it was handed out by volunteers from the fire department, Salvation Army and Red Cross. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)