Governor Dayton, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to visit St. Paul Water Treatment Plant to discuss urban water challenges, celebrate clean drinking water successes

 

Governor Dayton to meet with mayors and county commissioners from across Minnesota to discuss local water quality challenges, highlight need for additional infrastructure investments

 

ST. PAUL, MN – As Water Action Week continues Governor Mark Dayton today will visit the McCarron’s Water Treatment Plant in Saint Paul with Mayor Chris Coleman to celebrate the City’s nation-leading work in providing clean drinking water to more than 425,000 residents in Saint Paul and surrounding communities. Later in the day, Governor Dayton will meet with mayors and county commissioners from across Minnesota to discuss local water challenges, and highlight the need for significant, long-overdue investments in clean drinking water infrastructure statewide.

 

“I want all of us to ask what can we do, everywhere, to broaden public awareness about the quality of our water, recognize the responsibility we all have for it, and determine what we can all do, working together, to make it better,” said Governor Dayton.

 

Today’s visits are part of the Governor’s ongoing push to engage local officials in the work of improving water quality for all Minnesotans, and urging the Legislature to act this session on urgently-needed water quality investments this session. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed a $220 million down-payment on the essential clean water infrastructure upgrades Minnesota needs to provide clean, affordable drinking water in communities across Minnesota.

 

At 10:00am on Wednesday, April 20th, Governor Dayton and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will visit the McCarrons Water Treatment Plant in Saint Paul to discuss the City’s efforts to assure clean, affordable water for 425,000 area residents. Governor Dayton and Mayor Coleman will make a “Tap Water Toast” to clean water to celebrate the Plant’s successes. The McCarrons Plant has been recognized nationally for its efforts to assure good, quality drinking water to its residents, receiving the President’s Award from the Partnership for Safe Water.

 

“As the Mayor of a city on the banks of the Mississippi – one of the world’s great rivers – I know firsthand the importance of protecting our state’s waters to ensure community sustainability, economic vitality, and public health,” said Mayor Chris Coleman. “More than 18 million Americans drink from the Mississippi River every day – including residents of Saint Paul. I’m proud to say that Saint Paul Regional Water Services maintains and operates one of the best water systems in the nation – ensuring a reliable source of safe, clean water every time we turn on the tap.”

 

Every day, on average, Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) provides more than 40 million gallons of water, pumped through 1,100 miles of pipe to 94,000 individual homes and businesses. SPRWS was founded in the late 1800s. Water is drawn from the Mississippi River, and flows through a chain of four lakes in northern Ramsey County. Ten deep wells provide the utility with an alternate supply equal to the average daily demand. The water is delivered to the McCarrons Water Treatment Plant, where it is purified, disinfected, and pumped into the distribution system.

 

At 11:00am, Governor Dayton will convene mayors and county commissioners from across the Twin Cities Metro Area to discuss local water challenges, and highlight the need for investments in clean drinking water infrastructure. The meeting, which is open to the press, will take place in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of the Veterans Service Building (20 West 12th Street, St. Paul, MN). Attending the meeting will be local elected officials from White Bear Lake, Richfield, Woodbury, Saint Anthony Village, Falcon Heights, Hugo, Minnetrista, Savage, Minnetonka, Coon Rapids, Ramsey County, Anoka County, Washington County, Scott County, Carver County, and Dakota County.

 

During Water Action Week, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith are urging Minnesotans to take four simple actions – individual efforts to collectively improve the quality of Minnesota’s waters.

 

1.      Learn About Your Water Quality – Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith are encouraging all Minnesotans to learn more about the water around them, including the challenges facing our lakes, rivers, and clean drinking water systems, and the actions they can take as individuals to make a difference – because Minnesotans who understand the problems facing our waters will be better-equipped and motivated to be part of the solution. This week, the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor has launched a one-stop web page that provides a number of helpful links Minnesotans can use to learn more about water challenges in Minnesota. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith are also encouraging Minnesotans to do their own research, to test the water in their wells, and to learn more locally about the water infrastructure and systems their families rely on. Minnesotans can also follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter, where the Governor, Lt. Governor, and state agencies will be sharing #WaterActionMN tips every day throughout the week.

 

2.      Teach Your Children about Clean Water, and Let Them Teach You – Establishing an ethic of responsible stewardship needs to start early. That is why Governor Dayton and Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius will be visiting an elementary classroom this week, to meet with students who are learning in school what they can do to protect and improve the quality of water in their communities. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith urge all Minnesota parents and teachers to talk with their children and students this week about the importance of water in our lives, and what Minnesotans can do – even as children – to leave a lasting legacy of clean water for this generation, and generations that follow. A great place to start is www.h2oforlifeschools.org where parents, teachers, and children can find simple lesson plans, watch short videos, and find new ways to make a positive impact on water quality in our communities, across our state, and around the world.

 

3.      Set a Water Conservation Goal – Whether fixing leaky pipes in your house, turning off the water when brushing your teeth, taking a shorter shower, or using less fertilizer on your lawn, all Minnesotans can make small changes in their lives that will collectively have a significant and positive impact on Minnesota’s waters. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith encourage Minnesotans this week to think about the way their lifestyles impact the water around them, and set a specific goal to make positive changes in their lives that will contribute to cleaner, safer, more affordable water for all Minnesotans.

 

4.      Contact Your Legislators – While government alone cannot solve the multitude of challenges facing Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and drinking water systems, state and local leaders do play an important role. The actions of the State Legislature can, and must make a significant difference in assuring clean, affordable water for all Minnesotans. This session, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith have proposed a $220 million down-payment on the essential clean water infrastructure upgrades Minnesota needs to provide clean, affordable drinking water in communities across Minnesota. Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith encourage Minnesotans to review the proposal – including how it would impact their communities – and contact their legislators to encourage them to support these needed investments. Minnesotans can find out how to contact their legislators by using the “Who Represents Me?” tool on the Legislative Coordinating Commission’s website.