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3.8. SR 05-01-2006 City of Elk River REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Agenda Section Meeting Date Consent Ma 1, 2006 Item Description Lake Orono Beach Closure Polic Item Number 3.8.* Prepared by Rebecca Hau , Environmental Admin Reviewed by Introduction In July 2003, a policy was established and adopted for Lake Orono to close the beach if fecal coliform counts exceeded 2,000. For the past couple of years, the Wastewater Treatment Plant staff has been testing Lake Orono for fecal coliform. Samples were taken and if on any single day the fecal coliform counts exceeded 1,000, signage was posted at the beach stating "Caution - Impaired Water Quality- Potential Health Risk if Swallowed". Sampling was then conducted every day following the exceedance until the average of the three samples taken at the Beach fell below 1,000 for two consecutive days, at which time the caution signs were removed. If the average of any single day's sampling exceeded a fecal coliform count of 2,000, Orono Beach was closed and signs that read as follows were posted: "Beach Closed - Impaired Water Quality - Potential Health Risk if Swallowed". The Beach was to remain closed and daily testing conducted until fecal coliform counts for two consecutive day's testing (the average of the three tests taken at the Beach) fell below 2,000, at which time the caution signs were posted at the Beach. When the average levels at the Beach return t01,000 or less for two consecutive days, all signage was removed. Discussion The city received information from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust regarding beach closures. The information is based upon the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines used for recreational purposes. MDH guidelines require the beach to be posted when the fecal coliform counts exceed 200. Staff is proposing to amend the previous policy and adopt this standard. Three samples would be taken at Orono beach on Monday and Wednesday as well as the day before, week of and week after the Sherburne County fair and analyzed for fecal coliform. These results would then be averaged. If the counts exceed 200, signage will be posted at the beach stating "Caution - Impaired Water Quality - Potential Health Risk if Swallowed". Sampling will be conducted every day following the exceedance until the average of the three samples taken at the beach fall below 200 for two consecutive days, at which time, the signs will be removed. When the counts reach 200, additional tests will be conducted at the Highway 10 bridge and where the Elk River enters Lake Orono to ascertain what future water quality may be and if the high fecal count originated at the beach. These tests shall cease when the average fecal coliform levels fall below 200 at the beach for two consecutive days. Signs stating "Beach Closed - Impaired Water Quality - Potential Health Risk if Swallowed" will not be posted. When it is determined that the water is impaired, Park Maintenance will place "caution" signs at Orono Beach and the public access. The Elk River Police Department and Sherburne County Public Health will be notified as well as members of the Lake Orono Improvement Association who will contact lake owners. The City and the Lake Orono Improvement Association will post notices on their websites. C: \Documents and Settings \tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-l 0 .doc Staff will contact the City Council members and the City Administrator notifying them of the water quality conditions. Financial Impact The City has $2,000 budgeted for 2006 to conduct the testing. Attachments · May 2006 Proposed Policy Regarding Water Quality Testing at Orono Beach · July 2003 Policy Regarding Water Quality Testing at Orono Beach Action Requested Staff is requesting the City Council approve the attached policy regarding water quality testing at Orono Beach. Council Action Motion by _ Second by _ Vote Follow Up C: \Documents and Settings \tallard\Local Settings \ Temporary Internet Files \OLKF\REQUEST COUNCIL ACTION-l 0 .doc City of Elk River Policy Regarding Water Quality Testing at Orono Beach Rebecca Haug (5/1/06) Testing Frequency Three samples shall be taken at Orono Beach each Monday and Wednesday as well as the day before, week of, and week after the Sherburne County Fair and analyzed for fecal coliform. The results of the samples shall be averaged. Standard for Posting Warning If the average fecal coliform count of the three samples taken at Orono Beach on any single day exceeds 200, signage shall be posted at the beach stating "Caution - Impaired Water Quality - Potential Health Risk if Swallowed". Sampling will be conducted every day following the exceedance until the average of the three samples taken at the Beach fall below 200 for two consecutive days, at which time the caution signs shall be removed. Additional Protocol When ever fecal coliform counts raise above 200, a daily sample shall be taken at the Highway 10 Bridge and where the Elk River enters Lake Orono to ascertain what future water quality may be and if the high fecal count originated at the beach. These tests shall cease when the average fecal coliform levels fall below 200 at the beach for two consecutive days. Notice when Beach is Closed >- Street department places signs at Orono Beach and public access. >- Contact Elk River Police Department >- Lake Orono Improvement Association is notified and they do a calling tree to lake owners (contact all on list and leave messages, but keep calling until at least one is spoken to directly): Jim Snetsinger Jim Tacheny John Weicht Vance Zehringer Edward Buttweiler Patrick or Cindy Plant 241-3116 441-3961 441-4112 441-6536 441- 4203 441-6339 Work 506-1020 The Plants also post notice on the Lake web site and city will post notice on its web site. >- Contact Sherburne County Public Health Department - (763) 241-2750. >- Inform Council Members and City Administrator (messages ok). City of Elk River Policy Regarding Water Quality Testing at Orono Beach Stephen Rohlf 7/03/03 Testing Frequency Three samples shall be taken at Orono Beach each Thursday and Monday and analyzed for fecal coliform. The results of the samples shall be averaged. Standard for Posting Warning If the average fecal coliform count of the three samples taken at Orono Beach on any single day exceeds 1,000, signage shall be posted at the beach stating "Caution- Impaired Water Quality - [potential Health Risk if Swallowed". Sampling will be conducted every day following the exceedance until the average of the three samples taken at the Beach fall below 1,000 for two consecutive days, at which time the caution signs shall be removed. Standard for Beach Closure If the average of any single day's sampling exceeds a fecal coliform count of 2,000, Orono Beach shall be closed and signs that read as follows shall be posted: "Beach Closed - Impaired Water Quality - Potential Health Risk if Swallowed". The Beach shall remain closed and daily testing shall be conducted until fecal coliform counts for two consecutive day's testing (the average of the three tests taken at the Beach) fall below 2,000, at which time the caution signs shall be posted at the Beach. When the average levels at the Beach return tol,OOO or less for two consecutive days, all signage shall be removed. Additional Protocol When every fecal coliform counts raise above 1,000 a daily sample shall be taken at the Highway 10 Bridge and where the Elk River enters Lake Orono to ascertain what future water quality may be and if the high fecal count originated at the beach. These test shall cease when the average fecal coliform levels fall below 1,000 at the beach for two consecutive days. Notice when Beach is Closed ~ Street department places signs at Orono Beach and public access. ~ Contact Elk River Police Department ~ Lake Orono Improvement Association is notified and they do a calling tree to lake owners (contact all on list and leave messages, but keep calling until at least one is spoken to directly: Jim Snetsinger Jim Tacheny John Weicht Vance Zehringer Edward Buttweiler Patrick or Cindy Plant 241-3116 441-3961 441-4112 441-6536 441- 4203 441-6339 506-1020 work The Plants also post notice on the Lake website and city will post notice on its web site. ~ Contact Sherburne County Health Department - (763) 241-2750. ~ Inform Council Members and City Administrator (messages ok).