Farmington water quality report now available online

Talk about it

Farmington’s drinking water has passed its annual inspection by the Minnesota Department of Health. That’s nothing new – the city’s water quality has received passing marks for years.

But what is new is the way the city is able to share those findings with Farmington residents. This year, for the first time, the city of Farmington is posting the full report on its webpage.

According to city of Farmington municipal services director Lena Larson, the city is required by law to have an annual inspection, and to share the results of that inspection with residents. In the past, city officials have enclosed the report’s findings in letters sent out with utility bills, or through the city’s newsletter.

This is the first time Farmington has been able to share that information online.

“We’re part of a pilot program to do it online,” Larson said. “(The department of health) allowed a certain number of water supplies to try a different system and we’re one of them.”

The results were announced in the city’s most recent newsletter, which should have arrived in Farmington homes last week. Rather than printing the entire study – which usually covers about four pages in the newsletter – the link was printed. The hope, Larson said, is that anyone who is interested in looking over the results will go online to check it out.

The department of health plans to follow up with a random survey of residents to see whether they accessed the information.

As it is, Larson said the city gets requests for water quality information several times a year. She hopes that by putting the report online, it will become more readily available to residents who have questions or concerns. If someone is unable to access the information online, she added, the city will provide a printed copy of the report, as well.

To find the water quality report, visit the city’s website, www.ci.farmington.mn.us.

Tags: news, farmington