Wellhead protection is designed to protect public water supply wells. All states are required to have wellhead protection programs under the provisions of the 1986 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) administers the State Wellhead Protection Rule Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4720.5100 - 4720.5590 that sets standards for wellhead protection planning.

In 2002, ALP initiated a Wellhead Protection Plan to help protect Alexandria’s municipal wells from contamination. Alexandria’s Wellhead Protection Team includes ten water experts from the State of Minnesota, Douglas County and the City of Alexandria. The plan addresses the delineations of the capture zones and the vulnerability assessment for existing water supply wells.

ALP, along with the Wellhead Protection Team’s Protection Plan, is committed to on-going inspection, testing and protection of Alexandria’s public water supply.  By following the tips on the groundwater protection page , you too can help.

The following is a drawing of a geological cross section of Alexandria. (Click on the drawing to enlarge.)