We are proud to say that in the last year the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community water system completed and passed all tests required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water from the McKenna Treatment Facility is tested daily for chlorine and fluoride. The water is also regularly tested for bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants. These tests are performed to ensure that tribal water is safe to drink. This report contains information on the water consumed in 2006: where it comes from and whether it meets all drinking water safety standards.

For more information on the contaminants tested for this past year, please see the Water Quality Data Table contained in this report (page 7). The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Public Works Department is working to ensure that the water we provide you is always safe to drink, and we invite you to join us in this process. Please read this report for more information on what we are doing and how you can help.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. Persons with these conditions should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community water supply originates as water beneath the surface of the Earth called groundwater. Groundwater is naturally filtered as it travels through soil and rocks. The Community has wells in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer, which draws water from approximately 220 feet below the land surface, and the Franconia-Ironton-Galesville Aquifer, which draws water from approximately 450 feet below the land surface. The McKenna well draws water from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer. This well pumps water back to the land surface where it is treated with chlorine, fluoride, and poly-phosphate. It is then made available for consumption.