OCTOBER UPDATE - Blaine Well Pumping may impact Private Wells in Ham Lake
October Update on Blaine - Ham Lake Area Well Interferences
The DNR completed investigating 50 of the well interference complaints that came in from Ham Lake residents in 2022. The DNR determined that pumping at the City of Blaine’s municipal wells was the primary cause of water supply problems in 47 of these private wells, while two golf courses were each a minor contributor to one complaint. The DNR found that three of the complaints were unrelated to nearby high-volume water use. The full report is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/blaine-ham-lake-well-interference.html.
The City of Blaine has reimbursed the 47 complainants with valid interferences for the costs they incurred to restore their normal water supply. The DNR is still administering the well interference process for remaining complaints. If you experienced a loss of water or a major decrease in pressure due a drop in your well’s water level and worked with a licensed well contractor to resolve the issue, and you’re interested in filing a well interference complaint, you can send an email to well.interference.dnr@state.mn.us that includes:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- What happened and when
- Work done to restore water supply
June Update on Blaine - Ham Lake Well interferences
What happens next?
1. The DNR will work through the well interference settlement process with the City of Blaine, two area golf courses, and residents associated with the 47 valid complaints.
2. The DNR will continue to investigate outstanding and future complaints.
3. The DNR will review the City of Blaine’s permit to make sure domestic water supplies continue to be protected.
Contacts:
Well interference resolution process: Claudia Hochstein, Well Interference Coordinator- claudia.hochstein@state.mn.us, 651-259-5034
Blaine-Ham Lake area well interference webpage: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/blaine-ham-lake-well-interference.html
Technical report: Amanda Yourd, Groundwater Specialist- amanda.yourd@state.mn.us; 612-390-1097
Water appropriation permits: Dan Miller, Water Use Consultant- dan.w.miller@state.mn.us; 651-259-5731
In August 2022, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began receiving calls from residents of the north-metro Twin Cities suburbs of Blaine and Ham Lake whose wells were out of water. These residents rely on their own domestic water wells for household water. The DNR suspected that well interference had occurred and started investigating.
What is well interference?
Pumping from a high volume well lowers the water level in the surrounding groundwater aquifer. Well interference occurs when the water level drops below a domestic well pump, so the pump cannot reach or pump water (see illustration below). In Minnesota, the DNR investigates possible well interferences at no cost to the domestic well owner. The DNR only investigates well interference complaints after a w ll driller has inspected the well and the homeowner has submitted a well interference complaint form.
Well interference happens when high volume water use lowers the groundwater level below the pump of nearby domestic wells.
How many domestic wells had problems?
As of May 1, 2023, the DNR has received calls, emails or letters from more than 150 residents experiencing water supply problems in the Blaine-Ham Lake area. The DNR provided all of those residents with information about the DNR’s process for investigating well interference complaints. The DNR has received 74 well interference complaint forms. Because there are so many well interference complaints (and we continue to receive complaints), the DNR is investigating the complaints in batches. As of May 1, 2023, the DNR has completed its investigation of 50 complaints. The locations of these 50 complaints are shown on the map on the next page. The map shows:
• Fewer water supply problems were reported in the City of Blaine, because the city has a municipal water supply system that provides water to residents, so there are fewer domestic wells.
• More well problems occurred in the adjacent City of Ham Lake, because they do not have a municipal water supply system and all residents get their water from private domestic wells.
What caused domestic wells to run out of water?
The DNR reviewed groundwater use, groundwater levels, geology and well construction to find out why so many wells went out of water. We found that:
• Groundwater use in the area was the highest on record in 2022. The city of Blaine used about 1.7 billion gallons of groundwater in 2022, which is about five times more than all other high volume users in the area combined.
• Groundwater levels in 2022 were the lowest on record in many observation wells because of very high groundwater appropriation and use.
• Groundwater aquifers in this area are strongly connected to each other. That means that pumping large volumes of water from one part of the aquifer can cause water levels to drop several miles away.
The DNR investigation showed that the large volume of water pumped by the City of Blaine in the summer of 2022 was the main reason domestic wells went dry. Of the 50 complaints evaluated so far, the DNR has determined that 47 ran out of water due to high volume pumping. The DNR determined that these 47 complaints are valid. The other three complaints were determined not valid because water supply problems were caused by reasons not related to high volume pumping (e.g., a broken pump).
This map shows the investigation area for the report, as well as the locations of the complaints and contributing high volume wells.
This map shows the investigation area for the report, as well as the locations of the complaints and contributing high volume wells.
February Update on Blaine – Ham Lake Well Interferences
Recent articles in the Star Tribune and Ham Laker newsletter reported on private well problems that may have been caused by the City of Blaine pumping four new wells. Three of the new wells stopped pumping in mid-August and have not pumped water since. The City of Blaine has reimbursed some private well owners for costs associated with restoring their water supplies. They have referred other complaints to the DNR because the City of Blaine believes there may be additional factors causing the private well water supply issues.
Well Interference Complaints Update - As of Jan. 30, 2023
- 153 reported well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine and the DNR. Six new complaints were received in January.
- 24 owners of private wells in Blaine or Ham Lake have been reimbursed by the City of Blaine.
- 119 complaints have been referred to the DNR.
- 69 DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms have been received.
This means that at least 50 residents may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to repair their well, but DNR has not received their formal written complaint yet. See the last paragraph below on how to complete the Water Well Information and Complaint form.
Progress on the Well Interference Investigation
We anticipate that DNR’s investigation will be completed this spring. It takes time to investigate so many well problems. Well interference reviews take time because the DNR needs to ensure that well interference complaints are addressed consistently across the state, and that conclusions are supported by rigorous science and in accord with state well interference regulations. DNR staff have streamlined the process as much as possible.
What happens when the investigation and technical report are complete?
- The DNR anticipates having the investigation finalized this spring.
- All parties will receive copies of the final Blaine-Ham Lake Well Interference Technical Report when it is complete.
- The Report will be accompanied with an individualized letter stating that your claim was found Valid or Not Valid.
- A Valid complaint means that the well was out of water because of neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- A Not Valid complaint means that the well was out of water for some other reason not related to neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- All water appropriation permit holders will receive the Report and a letter identifying which wells they impacted and the submitted invoice dollar amount to repair those wells.
- From the date on the notification letter, the water appropriation permit holders have 30 days to choose one of three options: 1) Negotiate a reasonable agreement, 2) modify or restrict their permit or 3) request a public hearing. Typically, if the well interference investigation is found valid, a settlement is negotiated with the high-capacity water user(s) to reimburse well owners for some or all of their costs to restore their domestic water supply.
- Because of the large number of complaints in this area, notifications may be handled in batches.
- More information on the resolution process is available on the DNR well interference webpage
Information for Ham Lake well owners with well problems
If you know of other Blaine or Ham Lake well owners who had water supply problems in 2021 or 2022, they may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to restore their water supply. They should complete the Water Well Information and Complaint form found on the DNR well interference webpage. Or contact Anneka Munsell at anneka.munsell@state.mn.us or 651-259-5671.
January Update on Blaine – Ham Lake Well Interferences
Recent articles in the Ham Laker newsletter reported on some private well problems that may have been caused by the City of Blaine pumping four new wells. Three of the new wells stopped pumping in mid-August and have not pumped water since. The City of Blaine has reimbursed some private well owners for costs associated with restoring their water supplies. They have referred other complaints to the DNR because the City of Blaine believes there may be additional factors causing the private well water supply issues.
Well Interference Complaints Update - As of Jan. 4, 2023
- 146 reported well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine and the DNR.
- 24 owners of private wells in Blaine or Ham Lake have been reimbursed by the City of Blaine.
- 112 complaints have been referred to the DNR.
- 65 DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms have been received.
Progress on the Well Interference Investigation
If you have received an email or phone call from Carmelita Nelson confirming receipt of your complaint form and invoices, there is nothing further that you need to do. Your complaint is being investigated. We anticipate that DNR’s investigation will be completed this spring. It takes time to investigate so many well problems, so please be patient.
Why does it take so long to investigate a well interference?
Well interference reviews take time because the DNR needs to ensure that well interference complaints are addressed consistently across the state, and that conclusions are supported by rigorous science and in accord with state well interference regulations. DNR staff have streamlined the process as much as possible, but this is a complex situation that will take time to resolve.
What happens when the investigation and technical report are complete?
- The DNR anticipates having the investigation finalized this spring.
- All parties will receive copies of the final Blaine-Ham Lake Well Interference Technical Report when it is complete.
- The Report will be accompanied with an individualized letter stating that your claim was found Valid or Not Valid.
- A Valid complaint means that the well was out of water because of neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- A Not Valid complaint means that the well was out of water for some other reason not related to neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- All water appropriation permit holders will receive the Report and a letter identifying which wells they impacted and the submitted invoice dollar amount to repair those wells.
- From the date on the notification letter, the water appropriation permit holders have 30 days to choose one of three options: 1) Negotiate a reasonable agreement, 2) modify or restrict their permit or 3) request a public hearing. Typically, if the well interference investigation is found valid, a settlement is negotiated with the high-capacity water user(s) to reimburse well owners for some or all of their costs to restore their domestic water supply.
- Because of the large number of complaints in this area, notifications may be handled in batches.
- More information on the resolution process is available on the DNR well interference webpage.
Ham Lake Water Levels
There have been a few inquiries about Ham Lake Water Levels. The following information was provided by the Coon Creek Watershed District:
From the DNR Lake Finder page, all major lakes in our watershed (Crooked, Ham, Netta, Coon, Laddie, and Sunrise) have dropped 1.5 to 2.5 feet since 2020 (Sunrise the least, Laddie the most). Ham and Netta have acted almost identically, both dropping about 2 feet in that time period. Additionally, the Bunker reference wetland just west of our Ham Lake office dropped 2 feet in 2022 alone and Round Lake (just outside of our watershed) has dropped 3 feet since 2020. These levels show that Ham Lake is not alone in experiencing low water levels when compared to other local lakes.
Information for Ham Lake well owners with well problems
If you know of other Blaine or Ham Lake well owners who had water supply problems in 2021 or 2022, they may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to restore their water supply. They should complete the Water Well Information and Complaint form found on the DNR well interference webpage. Or contact the state well interference coordinator at 651-259-5034.
Link to Star Tribune Article on 12/31/22
December Update on the Blaine – Ham Lake Well Interference Situation
Well Complaints Update - As of 12/2/22
- 138 reported well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine and DNR.
- 24 residents of Blaine or Ham Lake have been reimbursed by the City of Blaine.
- 105 complaints have been referred to the DNR.
- 64 DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms have been received.
Progress on the Well Interference Investigation
The DNR Groundwater Technical staff are working through their final analysis of all 64 complaints, this is a time consuming process to get it right. Homeowners do not need to contact the DNR, our staff will contact you if we have questions about your specific complaint. DNR will notify all parties when the final Well Interference Technical Report is complete. More information on the resolution process is available on the DNR webpage listed below.
When the DNR investigates a well interference complaint, we evaluate all available information: groundwater use pumping data, groundwater aquifer levels, geology, aquifer properties, timing of problems and well condition, to determine whether the complaint is valid or not valid.
- A valid complaint means that the well was out of water because of neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- A not valid complaint means that the well was out of water for some other reason not related to neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
Important Information for Ham Lake Residents with well problems
If you are aware of a Ham Lake resident who has had water supply problems and had the pump lowered and/or replaced in 2021 or 2022, they may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to restore your water supply. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/interference.html
October Update on the Blaine – Ham Lake Well Interference Situation
Recent articles in the Ham Laker newsletter reported on some private well problems that may have been caused by the City of Blaine pumping four new wells. Three of the new wells stopped pumping in mid-August and have not pumped water since.
What is happening with the Groundwater?
Groundwater levels continue to rise in the Blaine and Ham Lake area, although the rate is slower than the initial increase in mid-August and September. This is a normal trend when a high-volume water user stops pumping.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has funded the installation of two new water level observation wells (obwells) that are located at the Blaine Public Works building. Obwells monitor the static water levels of an aquifer over time.
This monitoring location at the Blaine Public Works building now has four observation wells that monitor water levels in four different aquifers: the water table aquifer at 18 feet deep, a deep confined aquifer at 222 feet deep, and two bedrock aquifers--the Tunnel City Group at 290 feet deep and the Wonewoc aquifer at 430 feet deep. A “well nest” like this will help us to understand the vertical movement of water in this setting and help explain how the four separate aquifers interact throughout the years.
The wells will be visited quarterly by the Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District and data from the monitoring equipment will provide hourly water levels from each of the four wells. The DNR obwell network collects static groundwater level data to assess groundwater resources, determine long-term trends, interpret impacts of pumping and climate, plan for water conservation, and evaluate water use conflicts and well interferences.
Well Complaints Update - As of 10/27/22
- 133 reported well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine and DNR.
- 102 complaints have been referred to the DNR.
- 59 DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms have been received.
- 21 residents of Blaine or Ham Lake have been reimbursed.
Progress on the Well Interference Investigation
DNR staff continue to monitor groundwater levels and analyze permitted water use data. DNR staff are also calling well drillers to get additional information about what they observed at domestic wells this summer. DNR met with city staff from Blaine and Ham Lake in September to update them on the DNR process for investigating well interferences.
When the DNR investigates a well interference complaint, we evaluate all available information: groundwater use pumping data, groundwater aquifer levels, geology, aquifer properties, timing of problems and well condition, to determine whether the complaint is valid or not valid.
- A valid complaint means that the well was out of water because of neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
- A not valid complaint means that the well was out of water for some other reason not related to neighboring high-capacity pumping and water use.
Important Information for Ham Lake Residents with well problems
If you are a Ham Lake resident who has had water supply problems and had your pump lowered and/or replaced in 2021 or 2022, you may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to restore your water supply. Important If a new well is drilled, the old well should not be sealed until the investigation is complete. The DNR will not be able to investigate, if a well is sealed.
To be considered for reimbursement, residents must submit a written DNR Water Well Information and Complaint Questionnaire Form and the invoice from the well contractor. All costs associated with providing a water supply may be eligible for reimbursement, including the well contractor costs, pumps, bottled water, etc. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/interference.html
To submit a complaint form, contact the DNR well interference program
Carmelita Nelson, Water Conservation Consultant
Phone: 651-259-5034 or email: Carmelita.nelson@state.mn.us
Or send paper complaint forms to:
Carmelita Nelson
Ecological and Water Resources Division
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
The September issue of the Ham Laker newsletter reported on some private well problems that may have been caused by the City of Blaine pumping four new wells. Blaine has now ceased pumping from three of these municipal wells and we are seeing rising groundwater levels and a reduction in the number of well/water supply complaints.
What is a Well Interference?
When a high capacity well is pumping, a portion of the aquifer around it is dewatered in a pattern known as a cone of depression. Domestic wells located within the cone of depression may experience lower water levels and have problems getting water if water levels drop below the pump in the well. When the big well interferes with the ability of the small well to pump water, the condition is referred to as “well interference.”
Most well interference problems tend to be localized and short in duration. They often occur during the late summer in a dry year. Being without water is a major inconvenience and can cause damage to the well, the pump or household appliances. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been responsible for investigating well interference complaints for 45 years. There is no fee for the investigation, but they do take time to resolve.
Well Complaints Update - As of 9/28/22
- 125 reported well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine/DNR.
- 96 complaints have been referred to the DNR.
- 46 DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms have been received.
- 18 Blaine/Ham Lake residents have been approved for reimbursement and some have already received checks.
Responsibilities
Originally, Blaine said they would reimburse well repair costs for Blaine residents and Ham Lake residents south of Bunker Lake Road that met their well interference plan criteria. However, due to the high volume of out of water complaints from Ham Lake residents and other factors, the City of Blaine has narrowed the complaints they will accept to only complaints south of 133rd Lane or the streets spurring off that road. All other Ham Lake out of water complaints are being referred to the DNR.
The reason Blaine is requesting the DNR’s assistance is that there are multiple large water users in the Ham Lake area, including sod farms, golf courses, athletic fields and farm irrigation systems. Some of these other high volume water users may also be contributing to lowering the groundwater levels. The DNR is assisting private well owners and the City of Blaine in determining the cause of the well problems and who, if anyone, is responsible for reimbursing homeowners for the costs incurred to restore individual private water supplies.
Important Information for Ham Lake Residents with well problems
How do you know if the water level has dropped in your well? Residents who have experienced water level issues typically say they first observed a reduction in water pressure, they turned on the faucet and nothing came out, or they heard their pump motor running constantly. If this occurs, call a licensed well contractor (driller). Have your well serviced and keep your receipts.
After the licensed well driller has serviced your well, private well owners who have problems with their water supply can submit a well interference complaint form to the DNR for investigation. The well interference program investigates water quantity issues; it is not for water quality problems such as odors, iron or other mineral deposits in the water.
If you are a Ham Lake resident who has had water supply problems and had your pump lowered and/or replaced in 2021 or 2022, you may be eligible for reimbursement of costs incurred to restore your water supply. IMPORTANT: If a new well is drilled, the old well should not be sealed until the investigation is complete. The DNR will not be able to investigate if a well is sealed.
In order to be considered for reimbursement, residents must submit a written DNR Water Well Information and Complaint Questionnaire Form and the invoice from the well contractor. All costs associated with providing a water supply may be eligible for reimbursement, including the well contractor costs, pumps, bottled water, etc. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/appropriations/interference.html
To submit a complaint form, contact the DNR well interference program
Carmelita Nelson, Water Conservation Consultant
Phone: 651-259-5034 or email: Carmelita.nelson@state.mn.us
Or send paper complaint forms to
Carmelita Nelson
Ecological and Water Resources Division
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
Maintenance and testing of your private well
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides an excellent online resource for homeowners, called the Well Owner’s Handbook. All wells do require some maintenance. MDH recommends private well owners should test their water quality regularly.
Anoka County has a water testing program available for residents. This link provides information about the program and how to get the sampling kit https://www.anokacountymn.gov/2009/Well-Water-Testing. Specific water sampling-related questions can be directed ahead of time to Michael Wagner at 763-324-4207.
Irrigating Large Lawns
Do you have an irrigated lawn that is equal to or bigger than 1.4 acres? If so, the amount of water you use to irrigate your lawn and landscape likely requires a water appropriation permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR is responsible for managing the quantity of water in our aquifers (underground sources) and surface waters (lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands) for all users and the natural resources that depend on that water, too.
In order to help manage the quantity of water throughout the state, the DNR requires a permit to pump water for irrigation or other business purposes if you use more than 10,000 gallons per day or 1 million gallons per year. Large residential lots that irrigate their lawn and landscape may need a permit, depending on the size of the area that is watered and the amount of water typically used to run through the irrigation system.
Help conserve your drinking water by converting a portion of your lawn into landscaping that is drought tolerant and provides habitat for butterflies, pollinators and birds. Native prairie plants are a great alternative to sod. More information is available at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pollinator_resources/index.html or on the DNR Prairie Podcast https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/prairiepod/index.html. Contact your local soil and water conservation district or landscaping company for designs and plans that require less water.
Contact the DNR’s Sara Mielke at 651-259-5879 sara.mielke@state.mn.us or Joe Richter at 651-259-5877 joe.richter@state.mn.us to find out if your irrigation system requires a permit. Help protect our natural resources for fish and wildlife habitat, and our water supplies for current and future generations.
Pumping and Groundwater Levels
- Due to the high volume of well interference complaints, the City of Blaine has voluntarily stopped pumping water from three of their four new wells.
- Blaine has stopped all irrigation on City property, with the exception of athletic fields.
- The DNR is monitoring groundwater levels at multiple locations.
- In the past week, groundwater levels have started to rise.
- Additional rain the past week has also reduced the demand for outdoor water use.
- In addition to Blaine submitting their pumping records, 19 other high-volume water permittees are also submitting their water use data.
Complaint Update - As of 8/29/22
- A total of 74 well interference complaints have been received by the City of Blaine and/or the DNR.
- 12 Blaine residents have been approved for reimbursement for well repairs/improvements, some have already received checks. Additional complaints are being reviewed.
- 51 of the 74 complaints have been referred to the DNR for review because of the distance from the Blaine wells and hydrological complexity. If the DNR finds these complaints valid, then the City of Blaine and/or other high volume water users will be responsible for negotiating a settlement with the homeowners.
- In order for the DNR to investigate, a written form must be submitted. Of the 51 complaints referred to the DNR, 19 people have submitted DNR Well Interference Complaint Forms.
Timeline
- The DNR anticipates that it may take several months to investigate all of the out-of-water complaints.
- We will provide monthly email updates to the City of Blaine and Ham Lake and to residents who have submitted a complaint and provided an email address.
What can you do?
- If you, or someone you know, have experienced private well water supply issues recently and would like to be considered for reimbursement for repairs, fill out the DNR Water Well Information and Complaint Form. The forms may be printed, completed and then mailed or emailed back to the DNR.
- We encourage all residents of Blaine and Ham Lake to conserve water as much as possible, especially by reducing or temporarily stopping lawn watering.
For additional water conservation ideas, visit the DNR Water Conservation webpage.
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Situation:
The City of Blaine finished their fourth water treatment plant at the end of 2021. They have four new wells providing water to this plant. This is the first summer that it is fully operational.
As anticipated in the Blaine Well Interference Plan, the heavy pumping during this summer’s drought is causing nearby private well owners to have issues with their water supply. We know from well drillers, this is also impacting some residents with private wells in Ham Lake.
Blaine’s Response:
Blaine is prepared to pay for private wells to be repaired or replaced, even if they are outside the city limits (this area borders on Ham Lake). Last week Blaine city staff sent postcards to all Blaine residents in the area explaining the procedures. We don’t know if or how they will be contacting Ham Lake residents with private wells.
Blaine has said: The modeling figures 1 and 2 are what the City of Blaine will be basing the decisions on how to respond to complaints. If the drawdown in a complainant’s well matches or is close to the model, the homeowner will be reimbursed by the City of Blaine once they provide a paid invoice or receipt. If the drawdown is significantly different than the model, the City will direct them to use the DNR Well Interference Process.
Info for Ham Lake Residents:
- If your property is located south of Bunker Lake Boulevard you can contact the City of Blaine to see if you are eligible for reimbursement from the City of Blaine or if you will be directed to file with the DNR well interference program.
The primary contact for the Blaine Well Reimbursement program is Stefan Higgins 763-717-2722 or shiggins@blainemn.gov
The homeowner can pay the well driller, then submit the paid invoice to the City of Blaine for reimbursement.
IMPORTANT: If a new well is drilled, the old well should not be sealed until the investigation is complete. DNR will not be able to investigate if a well is sealed.
- If your property is located north of Bunker Lake Boulevard you need to file with the DNR well interference program (call the number below)
Carmelita Nelson
Water Conservation Consultant| Ecological & Water Resources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
Phone: 651-259-5034
Email: Carmelita.nelson@state.mn.us