Darwin's water in compliance with state

By Kristen Miller
Staff Writer

Jill Holte, Darwin public works director, informed the council of a publication regarding the arsenic level of the city’s water supply at Tuesday’s meeting.

A report from the Minnesota Department of Health noted the city as exceeding the new standard level of 10 parts per billion in a study done last year. The standard for arsenic levels went down from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion in January 2006.

All residents of Darwin were informed in the spring of 2006 after it was discovered. Since then, the water supply has been in compliance with the new standard, according to Holte. Last year’s average was eight parts per billion, well below the standard, and the water is monitored quarterly, according to Holte.

“It has been cleared by the state, and arsenic levels are no longer a concern,” Holte said.

In other business

The Darwin City Council discussed the following:

• A bid came in from Duininck Bros. Inc. in the amount of $3,000 for paving of the parking lot next to Schoolhouse Park. The community club has committed to paying $2,500.

• Council Member Larry Huhn presented a map of the properties surrounding the alley to be vacated. The actual deed information has not yet been obtained, which is needed in order to vacate the alley. Some progress has been made, but more research is being done by the council, Huhn said.

• Holte received a quote from McCarthy Gravel in the amount of $5,937 for riprap around the waste water ponds. The council approved the bid.

• Holte presented to the board an estimate for the installation of water meters as being $65,000. The council will do more investigating for meter installation. Currently, residents pay a flat rate instead of the amount used per residence.

• Darwin resident Lorraine Pommerer addressed the council for approval of a building permit. The council approved the permit since she would be adding on to her garage, not her home, which is zoned as a highway business district.