The City of New Prague provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: six wells ranging from 398 to 652 feet deep, that draw water from the Franconia-Mt. Simon and Franconia-Eau Claire aquifers.
Certain radioactive elements like radon and combined radium have exceeded state limits and would requirefiltrationorreverse osmosisif removal is desired.
- Soft Water
- National Hardness Average
- New Prague Water Hardness
New Prague Water Softener Recommendations
The national average for water hardness is 5gpg (grains per gallon). New Prague water hardness is 20-22gpg, which is 5x harder than average.
A water softener will protect your water heater, plumbing, and appliances from hard water damage. A high efficiency water softener will offer the same protection, but will use far less water and salt.
Need the Right Water Softener or Filter for Your Home in New Prague, MN?
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New Prague Water Reports
The City of New Prague, MN does regular water testing and publishes the results in Annual Drinking Water Reports. These reports explain which water contaminants, and what levels have been found.
2019 New Prague Water Report
2018 New Prague Water Report
2017 New Prague Water Report
2016 New Prague Water Report
2015 New Prague Water Report
2014 New Prague Water Report
2013 New Prague Water Report
2012 New Prague Water Report
2011 New Prague Water Report
2010 New Prague Water Report
2009 New Prague Water Report
2008 New Prague Water Report
2007 New Prague Water Report
2006 New Prague Water Report
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The EPA has two standards for drinking water contaminants:
MCL:Maximum Contaminant Level
The legal limit fora certain contaminant
MCLG:Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL
The level with ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”
All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Health Limit have been highlighted below.
Inorganic Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants include natural and manmade salts and metals. You are mostly exposed to inorganics through drinking water, most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have almost ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1.66 | 0 | 10 | Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer |
| Barium | 0.08 | 2 | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Fluoride | 1.0-1.3 | 4 | 4 | Bone disease;children may get mottled teeth |
| Nitrate | 0.13-0.16 | 10 | 10 | Blue-baby syndrome |
Organic Contaminants
Organic contaminants can come from either natural sources like algae, or man-made chemicals. You can be exposed through drinking water, absorption through skin (bathing), and inhalation. This makes a Hybrid Filter System, or Whole House Carbon Filter a good preventative tool.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trichloroethylene | 0.01-0.1 | 0 | 5 | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer |
| Xylenes | 0.001 | 1.8 | 100 | Nervous system damage |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. Disinfectants like Chlorine react with other chemicals and create “Disinfection Byproducts. These chemicals enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 0.8-1.98 | 4 | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Chloroform | 2.27-6.9 | 5.7 | 80 | Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors |
| Haloacetic Acids | 2.5-7.2 | 0 | 80 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 6.7-16.8 | 0 | 60 | Increased risk of cancer |
Microbial Contaminants
Microbes like bacteria and virus come from a variety of sources. These include water main breaks, leaky septic systems, livestock, and wildlife. Microbial contaminants are mainly consumed through drinking water. Carbon Filters and Water Softeners do not offer any protection against microbes, but UV Treatment is very effective.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform Bacteria | 1% | 0 | 5 | Not a health threat itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
*Upon re-testing, 0% Coliform Bacteria was detected.
Radionuclide Contaminants
Radionuclides in water may occur naturally, or come from oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Amount Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitter | 3.5-8.8 | 0 | 15.4 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 2.2-8.3 | 0 | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Radon | 370-791 | 0 | NA | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from New Prague’s water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG).
