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Public Notices 06/04/26
June 04, 2026
NOTICE OF STORAGE UNIT CONTENT SALES
The contents of the following storage units from the U-Haul Moving and Storage of Mankato, 1721 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN, 56001, will be sold to the public online only at Lockerfox.com. Bidding will begin on 6/19/26 at 7pm.
Unit number 2136 leased by Chris Hanzely
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $329.92
Unit number 2219 leased by Antwan Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number 1074 leased by Jeanne Stark
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number 2143 leased by Sherry Derusha
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $265.80
Unit number 1208 leased by Shawnyell Younger
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B136 leased by Jose Nunez
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $524.80
Unit number B131 leased by Michael Peine
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $478.70
Unit number A183 leased by Paul Gilliland
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $239.90
Unit number A182 leased by Allegra Henderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $239.90
Unit number 1254 leased by Sarah Kuek
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $249.90
Unit number A113 leased by James Bruender
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $379.90
Unit number 1218 leased by Michael Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B154 leased by David Anderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $329.90
Unit number 2200 leased by Dawn Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B121 leased by Michael Peine
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $478.70
Unit number 1162 leased by Cherie Henderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $363.80
Maple River Messenger
05/28 and 06/04/2026
-------------------------------------
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF MINNESOTA LAKE
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
The City of Minnesota Lake 2025 Drinking Water Report is available on the City’s website www.minnesotalakemn.gov. If you do not have access to a computer and would like a hard copy, you may pick one up at City Hall located at 103 Main St N or call 507-462-
3277 and one will be mailed to you.
Dawn Whitehead
City Clerk
Maple River Messenger
05/28 and 06/04/2026
-------------------------------------
Blue Earth County Board Summary
The Blue Earth County Board meeting was held Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Blue Earth County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Room, was attended by Commissioners Kip Bruender, Patty O’Connor, and Kevin Paap. Also present were County Administrator Josh Milow, County Attorney Pat McDermott, and Administrative Assistant Stephanie Jahnke.
Commissioners voted 3-0, unless otherwise noted:
• Approve the Findings and Order staying repairs for County Ditch 88 (Decoria and McPherson Townships).
• Approve the Findings and Order staying repairs for County Ditch 93 (Decoria Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for Judicial Ditch 33 initiating the redetermination of benefits and appointing viewers (McPherson Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for Judicial Ditch 33 setting the final hearing date (McPherson Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for County Ditch 28 setting the final hearing date (Lincoln Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for County Ditch 65 setting the final hearing date (Judson Township).
• Approve the Joint Powers Agreement for implementation of the Minnesota River-Mankato Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
• Approve the tax abatement policy as presented.
• Accept the low bid from KAMCO, Inc. for the 2026 maintenance striping contract.
• Accept the low bid from H.G. Meigs for the 2026 asphalt emulsion for maintenance seal coating contract.
• Accept the low bid from Max Johnson Trucking for the 2026 maintenance gravel hauling contract.
• Accept the low bid from Holtmeier Construction Inc. for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT agreement number 1062917 for local bridge replacement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT resolution for agreement number 1062917 for local bridge replacement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT agreement number 1062965 for local road improvement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT resolution for agreement number 1062965 for local road improvement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the final payment to M & K Bridge Construction Inc. for the County Road 139 bridge over Perch Creek project.
• Approve the April 21, 2026 Board Minutes.
• Approve the bills as presented.
• Approve the reappointment of Dan Robinson to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization.
• Approve the revised 2026 Board Calendar as presented.
• Accept the resolution for resignation of Commissioner Mark Piepho, District 3.
• Approve the resolution calling for a special election for the Office of County Commissioner District 3.
Joshua W. Milow, County Administrator
Blue Earth County
A complete copy of these minutes and recordings of all public hearings are on file at the County Administrator’s Office, 204 South 5th Street, Mankato, or on Blue Earth County’s website at www.blueearthcountymn.gov.
Maple River Messenger
06/04/2026
---------------------------------
The contents of the following storage units from the U-Haul Moving and Storage of Mankato, 1721 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN, 56001, will be sold to the public online only at Lockerfox.com. Bidding will begin on 6/19/26 at 7pm.
Unit number 2136 leased by Chris Hanzely
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $329.92
Unit number 2219 leased by Antwan Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number 1074 leased by Jeanne Stark
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number 2143 leased by Sherry Derusha
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $265.80
Unit number 1208 leased by Shawnyell Younger
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B136 leased by Jose Nunez
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $524.80
Unit number B131 leased by Michael Peine
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $478.70
Unit number A183 leased by Paul Gilliland
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $239.90
Unit number A182 leased by Allegra Henderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $239.90
Unit number 1254 leased by Sarah Kuek
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $249.90
Unit number A113 leased by James Bruender
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $379.90
Unit number 1218 leased by Michael Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B154 leased by David Anderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $329.90
Unit number 2200 leased by Dawn Smith
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $219.90
Unit number B121 leased by Michael Peine
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $478.70
Unit number 1162 leased by Cherie Henderson
Miscellaneous household and personal goods
Amount due: $363.80
Maple River Messenger
05/28 and 06/04/2026
-------------------------------------
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF MINNESOTA LAKE
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT
The City of Minnesota Lake 2025 Drinking Water Report is available on the City’s website www.minnesotalakemn.gov. If you do not have access to a computer and would like a hard copy, you may pick one up at City Hall located at 103 Main St N or call 507-462-
3277 and one will be mailed to you.
Dawn Whitehead
City Clerk
Maple River Messenger
05/28 and 06/04/2026
-------------------------------------
Blue Earth County Board Summary
The Blue Earth County Board meeting was held Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Blue Earth County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Room, was attended by Commissioners Kip Bruender, Patty O’Connor, and Kevin Paap. Also present were County Administrator Josh Milow, County Attorney Pat McDermott, and Administrative Assistant Stephanie Jahnke.
Commissioners voted 3-0, unless otherwise noted:
• Approve the Findings and Order staying repairs for County Ditch 88 (Decoria and McPherson Townships).
• Approve the Findings and Order staying repairs for County Ditch 93 (Decoria Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for Judicial Ditch 33 initiating the redetermination of benefits and appointing viewers (McPherson Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for Judicial Ditch 33 setting the final hearing date (McPherson Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for County Ditch 28 setting the final hearing date (Lincoln Township).
• Approve the Findings and Order for County Ditch 65 setting the final hearing date (Judson Township).
• Approve the Joint Powers Agreement for implementation of the Minnesota River-Mankato Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
• Approve the tax abatement policy as presented.
• Accept the low bid from KAMCO, Inc. for the 2026 maintenance striping contract.
• Accept the low bid from H.G. Meigs for the 2026 asphalt emulsion for maintenance seal coating contract.
• Accept the low bid from Max Johnson Trucking for the 2026 maintenance gravel hauling contract.
• Accept the low bid from Holtmeier Construction Inc. for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT agreement number 1062917 for local bridge replacement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT resolution for agreement number 1062917 for local bridge replacement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT agreement number 1062965 for local road improvement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the MnDOT resolution for agreement number 1062965 for local road improvement program funds for the CSAH 5 reconstruction project.
• Approve the final payment to M & K Bridge Construction Inc. for the County Road 139 bridge over Perch Creek project.
• Approve the April 21, 2026 Board Minutes.
• Approve the bills as presented.
• Approve the reappointment of Dan Robinson to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization.
• Approve the revised 2026 Board Calendar as presented.
• Accept the resolution for resignation of Commissioner Mark Piepho, District 3.
• Approve the resolution calling for a special election for the Office of County Commissioner District 3.
Joshua W. Milow, County Administrator
Blue Earth County
A complete copy of these minutes and recordings of all public hearings are on file at the County Administrator’s Office, 204 South 5th Street, Mankato, or on Blue Earth County’s website at www.blueearthcountymn.gov.
Maple River Messenger
06/04/2026
---------------------------------
Good Thunder 2025 Drinking Water Report
This report is not being directly mailed out to each customer. A paper copy is available upon request.
Making Safe Drinking Water
Your drinking water comes from a groundwater source: a 470-foot-deep well that draws water from the Tunnel City-Wonewoc aquifer.
Good Thunder works hard to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water that meets federal and state water quality requirements. The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on your drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources.
Contact Brian l Severns, Water Superintendent, at (507) 208-3734 or Severnsb23@gmail.com if you have questions about Good Thunder’s drinking water. You can also ask for information about how you can take part in decisions that may affect water quality.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets safe drinking water standards. These standards limit the amounts of specific contaminants allowed in drinking water. This ensures that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Bottled water must provide the same public health protection as public tap water.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by visiting the website epa.gov/safewater.
Good Thunder Monitoring Results
This report contains our monitoring results from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
We work with the Minnesota Department of Health to test drinking water for more than 100 contaminants. It is not unusual to detect contaminants in small amounts. No water supply is ever completely free of contaminants. Drinking water standards protect Minnesotans from substances that may be harmful to their health.
Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health’s webpage Basics of Monitoring and testing of Drinking Water in Minnesota (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/sampling.html).
How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables
The tables below show the contaminants we found last year or the most recent time we sampled for that contaminant. They also show the levels of those contaminants and the Environmental Protection Agency’s limits. Substances that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables.
We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables below with the detection date.
We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Definitions
• AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
• Contaminant: Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
• EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
• MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• MRDL (Maximum residual disinfectant level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
• MRDLG (Maximum residual disinfectant level goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
• N/A (Not applicable): Does not apply.
• ppb (parts per billion): One part per billion in water is like one drop in one billion drops of water, or about one drop in a swimming pool. ppb is the same as micrograms per liter (μg/l).
• ppm (parts per million): One part per million is like one drop in one million drops of water, or about one cup in a swimming pool. ppm is the same as milligrams per liter (mg/l).
• ppt (parts per trillion): One part per trillion is like one drop in one trillion drops of water, or about one drop in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools. ppt is the same as nanograms per liter (ng/l).
• PWSID: Public water system identification.
• TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Monitoring Results - Uncollected Samples
Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable)
Total Coliform Bacteria: During the year, we failed to take a Total Coliform Bacteria sample during the required testing period of 4/1/25 to 6/30/25. Because we did not monitor or failed to monitor completely during the compliance period we did not know whether Total Coliform Bacteria was present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was at risk. The quarterly sample collected 7/7/25 showed no bacteria in the water and our system was returned to compliance.
Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable)
Total Chlorine: During the year, we failed to take a Total Chlorine Residual sample during the required testing period of 4/1/25 to 6/30/25. Because we did not monitor or failed to monitor completely during the compliance period, we did not know whether Chlorine was present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was at risk during that time. The quarterly sample collected 7/7/25 showed acceptable total chlorine residual readings and our system was returned to compliance.
Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances/Emerging Contaminants
In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. MDH, EPA, and other health agencies may have developed comparison values for some of these compounds. Some of these comparison values are based solely on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations nor the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. These values may be set at levels that are costly, challenging, or impractical for a water system to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). Sample data are listed along with comparison values in the table below; it is important to note that these comparison values are not enforceable.
Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The significance of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time.
A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little to no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions-like a fetus, infants, children, elderly, and people with impaired immunity—may need to take extra precautions. We are notifying you of the unregulated/emerging contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity.
Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the Agency should consider regulating those contaminants in the future.
• More information is available on MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/index.html)
• Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/com/ucmr4.html)
• Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule)
• EPA has developed a UCMR5 Program Overview Factsheet (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-02/ucmr5-factsheet.pdf) describing UCMR 5 contaminants and standards.
In the past year, your drinking water may have tested for additional unregulated contaminants as part of the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule) and results are still being processed. The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5) Data finder allows people to easily search for, summarize, and download the available UCMR 5 analytical results (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule-data-finder).
Some People Are More Vulnerable to Contaminants in Drinking Water
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available on EPA’s website epa.gov/safewater.
Service Line Material Inventory
Good Thunder has completed and submitted our service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) (https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/). You may also contact us at Severnsb23@gmail.com (Brian Severns). Physical inspection by 3rd party hired by the City of Good Thunder. As of 11/17/2025, our inventory contains 6 lead, 1 galvanized requiring replacement, 0 unknown material, and 239 non-lead service lines.
Learn More about Your Drinking Water
Drinking Water Sources
Groundwater supplies 75 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water, and found in aquifers beneath the surface of the land. Surface water supplies 25 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water, and is the water in lakes, rivers, and streams above the surface of the land.
Contaminants can get in drinking water sources from the natural environment and from people’s daily activities. There are six main types of contaminants in drinking water sources.
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Sources include sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, pets, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals from natural sources (e.g. rock and soil), oil and gas production, mining and farming operations, urban stormwater runoff, and wastewater discharges.
• Pesticide: Generally, any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.
• Herbicide: Any chemical(s) used to control undesirable vegetation.
• Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic compounds. Sources include industrial processes and petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants such as radium, thorium, and uranium isotopes come from natural sources (e.g. radon gas from soils and rock), mining operations, and oil and gas production.
The Minnesota Department of Health provides information about your drinking water source(s) in a source water assessment, including:
• How Good Thunder is protecting your drinking water source(s);
• Nearby threats to your drinking water sources;
• How easily water and pollution can move from the surface of the land into drinking water sources, based on natural geology and the way wells are constructed.
Find your source water assessment at Source Water Assessments (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/swp/swa.html) or call 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead can cause serious health problems, babies, children under six years, and pregnant women are at the highest risk. You may be in contact with lead through paint, water, dust, soil, food, hobbies, or your job. There is no safe level of lead.
Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Our water system is responsible for proving high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes from service lines but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.
Read below to learn how you can protect yourself from lead in drinking water.
1. Let the water run before drinking tap water flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap. If you have a lead service line, you may need to let the water run longer. A service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the main water pipe under the street to your home.
• Activities such as taking a shower, doing laundry or dishes help keep water moving in your home system but are not a replacement for running the tap before you drink if it has not been used for a long period of time.
• The only way to know if lead has been reduced by letting it run is to check with a test. If letting the water run does not reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure.
2. Know your service line materials by contacting your public water system, or you can search for your address online at the Minnesota Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/).
• Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead (https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead) is EPA’s step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
3. Use cold water for drinking, making food, and making baby formula. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water.
4. Test your water. In most cases, letting the water run and using cold water for drinking and cooking should keep lead levels low in your drinking water. If you are still concerned about lead, arrange with a laboratory to test your tap water. Testing your water is important if young children or pregnant women drink your tap water.
• Contact a Minnesota Department of Health accredited laboratory to purchase a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample: Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (https://eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam) The Minnesota Department of Health can help you understand your test results.
5. Treat your water if a test shows your water has high levels of lead after you let the water run. You can use a filter certified with ANSI/NSF standards 53 and 42 for lead reduction.
• Read about water treatment units: Point-of-Use Water Treatment Units for Lead Reduction (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/poulead.html)
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and other steps you can take to minimize exposure are available at:
• Visit EPA Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead)
• Visit the Minnesota department of Health Lead in Drinking Water (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/lead.html)
• To learn about how to reduce your contact with lead from sources other than your drinking water, visit Lead Poisoning Prevention: Common Sources (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/fs/common.html)
6. Be Aware: Head Start Programs, Child Care Centers, Public and Charter Schools all have requirements to test for lead in drinking water. These programs can learn more about requirements and resources for testing and remediation at MDH Drinking Water in Schools and Child Cares (https://www.web.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/schools/index.html)
SEE GRAPHS IN ACCOMPANYING PHOTO
Making Safe Drinking Water
Your drinking water comes from a groundwater source: a 470-foot-deep well that draws water from the Tunnel City-Wonewoc aquifer.
Good Thunder works hard to provide you with safe and reliable drinking water that meets federal and state water quality requirements. The purpose of this report is to provide you with information on your drinking water and how to protect our precious water resources.
Contact Brian l Severns, Water Superintendent, at (507) 208-3734 or Severnsb23@gmail.com if you have questions about Good Thunder’s drinking water. You can also ask for information about how you can take part in decisions that may affect water quality.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets safe drinking water standards. These standards limit the amounts of specific contaminants allowed in drinking water. This ensures that tap water is safe to drink for most people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of certain contaminants in bottled water. Bottled water must provide the same public health protection as public tap water.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by visiting the website epa.gov/safewater.
Good Thunder Monitoring Results
This report contains our monitoring results from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
We work with the Minnesota Department of Health to test drinking water for more than 100 contaminants. It is not unusual to detect contaminants in small amounts. No water supply is ever completely free of contaminants. Drinking water standards protect Minnesotans from substances that may be harmful to their health.
Learn more by visiting the Minnesota Department of Health’s webpage Basics of Monitoring and testing of Drinking Water in Minnesota (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/sampling.html).
How to Read the Water Quality Data Tables
The tables below show the contaminants we found last year or the most recent time we sampled for that contaminant. They also show the levels of those contaminants and the Environmental Protection Agency’s limits. Substances that we tested for but did not find are not included in the tables.
We sample for some contaminants less than once a year because their levels in water are not expected to change from year to year. If we found any of these contaminants the last time we sampled for them, we included them in the tables below with the detection date.
We may have done additional monitoring for contaminants that are not included in the Safe Drinking Water Act. To request a copy of these results, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Definitions
• AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
• Contaminant: Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
• EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
• MCL (Maximum contaminant level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• MCLG (Maximum contaminant level goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• MRDL (Maximum residual disinfectant level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
• MRDLG (Maximum residual disinfectant level goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
• N/A (Not applicable): Does not apply.
• ppb (parts per billion): One part per billion in water is like one drop in one billion drops of water, or about one drop in a swimming pool. ppb is the same as micrograms per liter (μg/l).
• ppm (parts per million): One part per million is like one drop in one million drops of water, or about one cup in a swimming pool. ppm is the same as milligrams per liter (mg/l).
• ppt (parts per trillion): One part per trillion is like one drop in one trillion drops of water, or about one drop in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools. ppt is the same as nanograms per liter (ng/l).
• PWSID: Public water system identification.
• TT (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Monitoring Results - Uncollected Samples
Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable)
Total Coliform Bacteria: During the year, we failed to take a Total Coliform Bacteria sample during the required testing period of 4/1/25 to 6/30/25. Because we did not monitor or failed to monitor completely during the compliance period we did not know whether Total Coliform Bacteria was present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was at risk. The quarterly sample collected 7/7/25 showed no bacteria in the water and our system was returned to compliance.
Potential Health Effects and Corrective Actions (If Applicable)
Total Chlorine: During the year, we failed to take a Total Chlorine Residual sample during the required testing period of 4/1/25 to 6/30/25. Because we did not monitor or failed to monitor completely during the compliance period, we did not know whether Chlorine was present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was at risk during that time. The quarterly sample collected 7/7/25 showed acceptable total chlorine residual readings and our system was returned to compliance.
Monitoring Results – Unregulated Substances/Emerging Contaminants
In addition to testing drinking water for contaminants regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we sometimes also monitor for contaminants that are not regulated. Unregulated contaminants do not have legal limits for drinking water. MDH, EPA, and other health agencies may have developed comparison values for some of these compounds. Some of these comparison values are based solely on potential health impacts and do not consider our ability to measure contaminants at very low concentrations nor the cost and technology of prevention and/or treatment. These values may be set at levels that are costly, challenging, or impractical for a water system to meet (for example, large-scale treatment technology may not exist for a given contaminant). Sample data are listed along with comparison values in the table below; it is important to note that these comparison values are not enforceable.
Detection alone of a regulated or unregulated contaminant should not cause concern. The significance of a detection should be determined considering current health effects information. We are often still learning about the health effects, so this information can change over time.
A person drinking water with a contaminant at or below the comparison value would be at little to no risk for harmful health effects. If the level of a contaminant is above the comparison value, people of a certain age or with special health conditions-like a fetus, infants, children, elderly, and people with impaired immunity—may need to take extra precautions. We are notifying you of the unregulated/emerging contaminants we have detected as a public education opportunity.
Unregulated contaminant monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether the Agency should consider regulating those contaminants in the future.
• More information is available on MDH’s A-Z List of Contaminants in Water (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/index.html)
• Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/com/ucmr4.html)
• Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule)
• EPA has developed a UCMR5 Program Overview Factsheet (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-02/ucmr5-factsheet.pdf) describing UCMR 5 contaminants and standards.
In the past year, your drinking water may have tested for additional unregulated contaminants as part of the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule) and results are still being processed. The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5) Data finder allows people to easily search for, summarize, and download the available UCMR 5 analytical results (https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule-data-finder).
Some People Are More Vulnerable to Contaminants in Drinking Water
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available on EPA’s website epa.gov/safewater.
Service Line Material Inventory
Good Thunder has completed and submitted our service line materials inventory to the Minnesota Department of Health. The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (LITT) (https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/). You may also contact us at Severnsb23@gmail.com (Brian Severns). Physical inspection by 3rd party hired by the City of Good Thunder. As of 11/17/2025, our inventory contains 6 lead, 1 galvanized requiring replacement, 0 unknown material, and 239 non-lead service lines.
Learn More about Your Drinking Water
Drinking Water Sources
Groundwater supplies 75 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water, and found in aquifers beneath the surface of the land. Surface water supplies 25 percent of Minnesota’s drinking water, and is the water in lakes, rivers, and streams above the surface of the land.
Contaminants can get in drinking water sources from the natural environment and from people’s daily activities. There are six main types of contaminants in drinking water sources.
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Sources include sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, pets, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals from natural sources (e.g. rock and soil), oil and gas production, mining and farming operations, urban stormwater runoff, and wastewater discharges.
• Pesticide: Generally, any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.
• Herbicide: Any chemical(s) used to control undesirable vegetation.
• Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic compounds. Sources include industrial processes and petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants such as radium, thorium, and uranium isotopes come from natural sources (e.g. radon gas from soils and rock), mining operations, and oil and gas production.
The Minnesota Department of Health provides information about your drinking water source(s) in a source water assessment, including:
• How Good Thunder is protecting your drinking water source(s);
• Nearby threats to your drinking water sources;
• How easily water and pollution can move from the surface of the land into drinking water sources, based on natural geology and the way wells are constructed.
Find your source water assessment at Source Water Assessments (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/swp/swa.html) or call 651-201-4700 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead can cause serious health problems, babies, children under six years, and pregnant women are at the highest risk. You may be in contact with lead through paint, water, dust, soil, food, hobbies, or your job. There is no safe level of lead.
Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Our water system is responsible for proving high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes from service lines but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.
Read below to learn how you can protect yourself from lead in drinking water.
1. Let the water run before drinking tap water flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap. If you have a lead service line, you may need to let the water run longer. A service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the main water pipe under the street to your home.
• Activities such as taking a shower, doing laundry or dishes help keep water moving in your home system but are not a replacement for running the tap before you drink if it has not been used for a long period of time.
• The only way to know if lead has been reduced by letting it run is to check with a test. If letting the water run does not reduce lead, consider other options to reduce your exposure.
2. Know your service line materials by contacting your public water system, or you can search for your address online at the Minnesota Lead Inventory Tracking Tool (https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/).
• Protect Your Tap: A quick check for lead (https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/protect-your-tap-quick-check-lead) is EPA’s step by step guide to learn how to find lead pipes in your home.
3. Use cold water for drinking, making food, and making baby formula. Hot water releases more lead from pipes than cold water.
4. Test your water. In most cases, letting the water run and using cold water for drinking and cooking should keep lead levels low in your drinking water. If you are still concerned about lead, arrange with a laboratory to test your tap water. Testing your water is important if young children or pregnant women drink your tap water.
• Contact a Minnesota Department of Health accredited laboratory to purchase a sample container and instructions on how to submit a sample: Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (https://eldo.web.health.state.mn.us/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam) The Minnesota Department of Health can help you understand your test results.
5. Treat your water if a test shows your water has high levels of lead after you let the water run. You can use a filter certified with ANSI/NSF standards 53 and 42 for lead reduction.
• Read about water treatment units: Point-of-Use Water Treatment Units for Lead Reduction (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/factsheet/poulead.html)
Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and other steps you can take to minimize exposure are available at:
• Visit EPA Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead)
• Visit the Minnesota department of Health Lead in Drinking Water (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/contaminants/lead.html)
• To learn about how to reduce your contact with lead from sources other than your drinking water, visit Lead Poisoning Prevention: Common Sources (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/fs/common.html)
6. Be Aware: Head Start Programs, Child Care Centers, Public and Charter Schools all have requirements to test for lead in drinking water. These programs can learn more about requirements and resources for testing and remediation at MDH Drinking Water in Schools and Child Cares (https://www.web.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/schools/index.html)
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