City to inspect lead service lines

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

A new requirement by the United States Environmental Protection Agency will result in an expansive inspection project for municipal water companies across the country. The City of Deer Creek is no exception as they will need to complete and submit a lead service line inventory by October 16, 2024.

In order to help fund the inspection process, which could include manually going into a home or business to inspect the pipes, the City of Deer Creek is seeking a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. 

During its regularly scheduled meeting on June 26, the Deer Creek City Council heard that the grant can be used for consulting fees associated with the inspection project. 

City clerk Thomas Parish said that the city’s engineering company, Bolton and Menk, have been selected by the Minnesota Department of Health as authorized contractors. As a result, the city can utilize the company to help with the inspection project.

The city council approved moving forward with seeking the grant for the city. 

In other news

• Heard the monthly police report from the New York Mills Police Department, which showed that the department logged 32 hours of patrol in May. Some of the calls included traffic warnings, animal complaints, medical and public nuisance. 

• Discussed a request from the Deer Creek Fire Relief Association to increase the annual benefit level for its Lump-Sum Pension Plan. A request was made to obtain accrued liability cost for various benefit levels, and if those levels are received, a recommendation will be made to the city council. Since the documentation was not available at the time of the meeting the request was tabled. 

• Discussed the need to have the community center parking lot resurfacing project added to the five year capital improvement plan. 

• Received the fire department report which stated the Deer Creek Fire Department has responded to 32 calls for service in 2023. Fire department members have also received two hours of training on pumping and water supply.