There are many reasons, but the most important ones are contaminated or poor quality water supplies, and in some cases a lack of adequate quantities of water.  Water quality is poor or very bad in some cases.

No.  Minnesota has six rural water systems.

No.  Red Rock Rural Water System is a public body organized under Minnesota State Statute 116A.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a system of pipelines, storage reservoirs, pumping stations, wells and treatment facilities located in Cottonwood, Jackson, Redwood, Murray, Lyon, Martin, Brown, Watonwan and Nobles counties.  It serves farms, rural residences, small towns, and unincorporated communities.

WHAT IS RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM?

IS RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM
A COOPERATIVE?

ARE RURAL WATER SYSTEMS NEW?

WHY IS RURAL WATER NEEDED IN OUR AREA?

It’s not difficult to determine what the cost of hauled water is, but we more easily overlook the all too frequent work done on our present wells and pressure systems.  Poor water can shorten the life of pipes, water heaters and other water-using appliances.  Poor water may be causing you the loss of gain on feeder stock.

WHAT IS POOR WATER COSTING ME NOW?

Troublesome minerals such as iron and manganese will be removed if necessary and other treatment will comply with state and federal health standards for public water supply systems.

WHAT KIND OF WATER QUALITY CAN I EXPECT
FROM RURAL WATER?

We think so.  A rural water system means an assured supply of good water.  If you choose to continue using your present source for livestock, the rural water system is there to serve you during any period of pump or well failure. The value of your real estate will be enhanced too, by the connection to the system supplying an abundant quantity of quality water.

IS RURAL WATER A GOOD INVESTMENT?

Most would not do without it.  They do not have to worry about staining problems during clothes washing.  Bathroom fixtures stay clean.  Less soap is used because the water is generally softer than what they had before.  And most importantly, they can be assured that the water is safe for cooking and drinking.

WHAT DO HOUSEWIVES HAVE TO SAY?

Yes.  The system is designed to provide water for domestic consumption (that is, within homes) and for livestock consumption.  Lawn and garden watering is also permitted.

WILL I BE ABLE TO WATER LIVESTOCK IN ADDITION TO USING THE WATER IN MY HOME?

This is a decision that you will have to make.  Users have reported better gains in livestock, fewer problems with scours and other problems that they had encountered previously with poor water supply.  New well construction costs, well and pump maintenance costs, and electrical bills for pumping should also be considered and evaluated.

CAN I AFFORD TO WATER ALL OF MY LIVESTOCK FROM THE SYSTEM?

You will not have to re-pump the water since it will be delivered under pressure.  Cisterns or pressurization units are not required.

WILL I HAVE TO REPUMP THE WATER AFTER IT IS DELIVERED TO MY FARM OR RESIDENCE?

No.  You may continue to use your own well if you wish.  For example, some users may only want the rural water for their homes but continue to use their existing wells for livestock watering.  We must caution you, however, that your private supply may not be interconnected with the rural water system.  This is a Health Department regulation.

WILL I BE REQUIRED TO USE ONLY WATER FROM THE RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM?

You will be asked to read your own meter and mail in the reading along with the payment each month.  The water bill that you pay each month reflects the cost of operation and maintenance of the system.

HOW WILL I BE BILLED FOR MY WATER?

Our engineers tell us that you can use the following year-round daily usage figures:
People - 60 gallons per person
Feeder Cattle - 8 gallons per head
Hogs and Sheep - 3 gallons per head
Poultry - 5 gallons per 100 birds
Dairy Cattle - 12 gallons per head

I AM INTERESTED IN ESTIMATING MY WATER USAGE.  WHAT ARE SOME AVERAGE NUMBERS THAT I CAN USE TO MAKE THESE CALCULATIONS?

The current rate consists of a $21.00 monthly service charge and a commodity charge of $2.00 per 1,000 gallons.          Rate chart

I’VE FIGURED OUT HOW MUCH WATER  I USE.  WHAT WILL IT COST ME EACH MONTH?

A $400.00 Feasibility Study Fee.  This amount is used to defray the cost for a feasibility study and preliminary engineering study.  It will be the only cost to you until construction is completed.  After construction, an assessment will be placed on your property taxes as a special assessment not to exceed $9,300.00.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO SIGN UP FOR A RURAL WATER SERVICE?

 It will be repaid on the period of the loan.  On past projects this has been for a period of 30 years.

HOW WILL THIS  ASSESSMENT BE REPAID?

The assessment stays with the property.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROPERTY ASSESSED  IS SOLD?

Contact the Red Rock Rural Water  office at (507) 628-4201.  They will assist you in:

1.  Paying the Feasibility Study Fee.

2.  Completing an information sheet showing how much water you use.  This information is  needed for our engineering firm to plan the design of the system.

3.  Signing a Water Users Agreement form.

WHAT CAN I DO NOW IF I WANT RURAL WATER?

 Red Rock Rural Water System cannot assure you of service at a later date.  The system is designed to serve those who subscribe to it first, with very little reserve built in.  So that our engineer can properly design the system and establish accurate costs, it must be known who is serious about being served by the system.

IF I DO NOT WISH TO SIGN UP AT THIS TIME, CAN I OBTAIN SERVICE FROM THE SYSTEM AFTER IT IS CONSTRUCTED?

The time can vary from two years to as long as five years.  It depends to a great extent on the availability of loan funds.

IF I SIGN UP NOW, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO OBTAIN RURAL WATER?

Rural Utilities Service, USDA has been involved in financing many of the rural water systems now in existence.  Loans and/or grants are provided if the system has been determined to be feasible and the money is available.  Loans have normally been made over a thirty-year period, however, changes in policy may result in adjustment of the terms.

WHO FINANCES RURAL WATER SYSTEMS?

1.  A pre-application for funding is filed.
2.  An engineering feasibility study and report is  prepared.
3.  A preliminary public notice is published.
4.  Detailed engineering plans and specifications are prepared.
5.  A public hearing is held.
6.  The project is let for bids.
7.  Construction begins.
8.  There is an assessment hearing.

WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED TO EXPAND A RURAL WATER SYSTEM?

Yes.  Ideally, the pipe is installed in private easement.   If the lines are placed on private property, we will not have to be responsible for the cost of  moving the pipelines if roads are widened or improved.

WILL LAND OWNERS ALONG PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTES BE ASKED TO GRANT RIGHT-OF-WAY OR EASEMENTS?

Some of the reasons are lack of adequate room to work, other buried utilities such as telephone line, wet areas, driveways, culverts, etc.  It is also more difficult for the Contractor to properly reshape a ditch after construction.

WHAT ARE OTHER REASONS FOR NOT INSTALLING PIPELINES IN ROAD DITCHES ?

The normal easement widths are thirty feet.  However, the contractor will generally disturb no more than twenty feet of crop land during construction.  The contractor is normally held responsible for crop damage outside the easement.

HOW MUCH CROP WILL BE DESTROYED AND WHAT IS THE WIDTH OF THE EASEMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION?

Yes.  The contractor is required to repair fences and tile lines to equal or better condition.

WILL FENCES AND DRAINAGE TILE BE REPAIRED DURING CONSTRUCTION?