By Rich Larson
Northfield residents can now access free, treated drinking water at a newly installed refill station inside the Northfield Community Resource Center, city officials announced.
The station, located in the lobby near door #20 at 1651 Jefferson Parkway, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Community members are encouraged to bring their own containers, ranging from 1-gallon to 5-gallon sizes, to use the system. The station operates similarly to those found in grocery stores, allowing users to place a container in the unit and select their desired fill amount.
The initiative comes as the city continues to address elevated levels of naturally occurring manganese in its drinking water. While manganese is a common nutrient found in food, prolonged exposure to higher concentrations in drinking water may pose health concerns for certain groups.
City officials emphasized that infants under one year old should not drink Northfield tap water nor should parents and caregivers use it to prepare formula unless it has been properly treated or replaced with an alternative such as bottled water. Infants are particularly vulnerable due to their developing bodies and higher water consumption relative to their size.
The new refill station uses advanced filtration and reverse osmosis technology designed to remove manganese, providing a safer drinking water option for residents who do not have treatment systems in their homes.
According to the city, the station is a short-term solution as officials continue to evaluate long-term improvements to Northfield’s water system. These discussions include potential infrastructure upgrades, associated costs, and the impact on utility rates.
In the meantime, the refill station offers immediate relief and access to clean drinking water for the community.
More information about manganese in Northfield’s water is available on the city’s website at northfieldmn.gov
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
