Jul
13
Wed
2016
Joint TAG and WPC Meeting @ Dakota County Western Service Center Room 106
Jul 13 @ 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a joint meeting of the Watershed Planning Commission (WPC), the watershed’s citizen advisory group, and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Wed., July 13, 2016, 1:30-4 p.m. Topics include a presentation by Deborah Manning, P.E., Metropolitan Council Environmental Services on water re-use and groundwater recharge; overview of the Vermillion River Monitoring Network 2015 Report; and discussions about policies for wetland banking and stream obstructions.

Oct
22
Fri
2021
Imagine a Day Without Water – Lakeville @ Lakeville Water Treatment Facility
Oct 22 @ 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Celebrate “Imagine a Day Without Water” by touring the Lakeville Water Treatment Facility

Friday, October 22
Tour times: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.

Water is a finite resource and one that needs protection. Imagine if you had no water to drink or make coffee. No water to shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry. Hospitals would close without water. Firefighters couldn’t put out fires and farmers couldn’t water their crops.

Come take a tour of the Water Treatment Facility to see where Lakeville’s drinking water is treated. Learn about the life of a water droplet and how your use of water affects this cycle with:

  • An interactive water cycle model
  • A chance to win prizes (“Slow the Flow – Save H2O” t-shirt, rain gauge and more!) by participating in water trivia
  • The VRWJPO “Pollute or Protect” exhibit in a box
  • Tips on how to save water (and money) at home

Bring your kids to this fun, interactive tour (while school is out). Space is limited—you must pre-register for a tour time. Pre-register for a tour time using this online form or call 952-985-4524.

Sep
14
Wed
2022
Hastings DWSMA Open House @ Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center
Sep 14 @ 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Open House – Hastings Drinking Water Supply Management Area Groundwater Protection Rule Process

Do you farm or own cropland in the Hastings Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA)?

The City of Hastings has high nitrate in their city wells. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with a team of local farmers, crop advisers, and others to develop a list of region-specific farming practices to reduce nitrate in groundwater and the city wells.

Join us to learn and share ideas about the proposed practices and the Groundwater Protection Rule process. Practice adoption is voluntary but could become regulatory if the voluntary approach is unsuccessful.

MDA staff will be available to discuss these topics, collect comments and ideas from farmers, and answer questions. A 30-minute presentation will be shared at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Oct
21
Fri
2022
Imagine a Day Without Water @ Lakeville Water Treatment Facility
Oct 21 @ 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Imagine a Day Without Water

Come take a tour of Lakeville’s Water Treatment Facility to see where the city’s groundwater becomes potable water. Learn how your home’s water usage affects our drinking water supplies and the quality of lakes and rivers.

​Lakeville Water Treatment Facility
8400 Ipava Ave., Lakeville
Friday, Oct. 21
Tour times: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. Register now. 

Mar
1
Wed
2023
Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum @ College of St. Benedict - Gorecki Center
Mar 1 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Minnesota Ag-Urban Partnership Forum

Plan to participate in person to learn more about the ways that agricultural and urban partners are working together to prepare for extreme weather events and improve water quality around Minnesota. This fourth annual event will focus on extreme weather resiliency, with keynote speaker, Heidi Roop, Ph.D., director, Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership at the University of Minnesota.

Who should attend?

Agricultural, government, local, and urban partners looking for ideas on how to develop and strengthen their relationships while improving the water quality of Minnesota lakes and streams are encouraged to attend.

Online registration is open. Registrations are requested before Feb. 21, 2023, to help finalize preparations for the event.

Jul
20
Thu
2023
Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake alum treatment @ Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Room in lower level
Jul 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Public Meeting: Alimagnet Lake Feasibility Study

This spring and summer, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) is leading an Alimagnet Lake alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment feasibility study. City of Burnsville and City of Apple Valley natural resources staff are also participating in the process. VRWJPO has hired a consultant, Barr Engineering, to conduct field work, analyze data and help put together the final feasibility report. This report is expected to be completed in July. We are hosting a public meeting on July 20, 2023 where the findings of the report will be presented.

What is an alum treatment?

An alum treatment is a common water quality improvement practice in shallow lakes that have excessive phosphorus and poor water clarity as a result of algae growth. Often times phosphorus is released into the water column from lake bottom sediments during the summer months. When alum is added to the water, it attaches to phosphorus and falls to the bottom of the lake, preventing it from feeding algae and improving water clarity. Increased clarity following alum treatments can also lead to increased aquatic plant growth, which help to keep phosphorus levels in check.

One of the first steps in planning for a potential alum treatment is to conduct a feasibility study, which will determine whether Alimagnet Lake is a good candidate for the treatment, and if it is, how to most effectively apply alum in the lake, and the estimated costs. The study will also look at alternative solutions to improve water quality, other than an alum treatment.

At the public meeting, there will be a short presentation to present the findings of the study and then time for attendees to ask questions or provide feedback on the findings. If alum treatment is determined to be a feasible option for Alimagnet Lake, VRWJPO would anticipate applying for a grant in late summer of 2023 to obtain funding to complete the work. No treatment would occur prior to 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the public meeting, please feel free to contact Caleb at 952-895-4543 or caleb.ashling@burnsvillemn.gov.