Water Sanitation

The Environmental Health group of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (DEHS) provides assistance to maintain compliance with the State of Minnesota and University safety requirements regarding water sanitation.  These procedures were developed as a means of informing and minimizing potential hazards.

Drinking water

The University of Minnesota will enforce the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regulations for drinking water protection to ensure a safe and adequate supply of drinking water to the public. 

Complaints about drinking water should be directed to DEHS at 612-624-6002.

1. DEHS evaluation of complaints may include discussion, inquiry, sampling, testing, line flushing, laboratory analysis, equipment replacement, etc. as necessary to obtain resolution.
2. In cases of suspect water contamination, DEHS may limit or cease food service operations, close drinking fountains, and remove from service vending machines attached to the water supply.
3. Any well water quality problems identified which may endanger public health will be addressed promptly by a certified well maintenance company with consultation and oversight of DEHS.

University Facilities Management will notify DEHS immediately when:

1. Chemical or microbial contamination of the drinking water supply is suspected
2. There is a long-term planned outage or water-main breaks
3. There are other circumstances such as the failure of a backflow preventer which has resulted water supply contamination

Drinking Water Wells
Installation of new wells intended for potable water supply will be constructed in consultation with DEHS and in accordance with MN Statutes, Chapter 1031, and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725.

Community Sourced Water in Campus Buildings
All plumbing for drinking water must comply with the Minnesota State Plumbing Code as applied by the University Building Codes Official. See also Plumbing Permit Application.

Any construction or renovation project which results in the installation or addition of potable water lines will require water line disinfection and subsequent bacteriological testing by DEHS before approval to use is granted.

Swimming Pools

The University of Minnesota will enforce the State of Minnesota Rules Chapter 4717, Public Swimming Pool Rules.  All swimming pools and special purpose / therapeutic pools will be in compliance with these rules.

Pool operators must:

• obtain training and certification per Minnesota Rules
• maintain swimming pools in safe and sanitary conditions
• maintain current pool operator certification
• monitor and document required daily tests
• submit pool logs monthly to DEHS
• report all pool related illness and injury to DEHS at (612) 624-6002 as soon as possible after notification
• close pools whenever lifesaving equipment is not available

Pools will be closed by DEHS when conditions endanger the health or safety of the users.

Pool Construction
Construction on new or renovations to swimming pools may not begin until plans are submitted and approved by MDH and DEHS.  Once pools are operational, inspection by DEHS is required prior to opening. DEHS will close pools they have been constructed or physically altered without approval of plans.