Please continue to check this page for regular updates related to COVID-19. 

The City of Waconia is implementing the following measures to assist with the spread of COVID-19. 

Public Services

• Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Public Services Building (310 10th Street East) will operate by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling 952-442-2615.
• No water shutoffs will take place over the next two weeks.
• Public Services staff will assist property owners with questions by phone and will only do home visits in emergent cases. 
• Please be mindful that paper towels, baby wipes, flushable wipes, and other similar items do not break down like toilet paper and can cause sanitary sewer overflows, which in turn can cause additional public health issues. paper products other than toilet paper can clog your city sewer system, including pipes and pumps. We are asking that you do not flush anything other than toilet paper down your toilet. 
• The annual Public Services Open House has been postponed. Please stay tuned for more information.

Community Development

• We strongly encourage our residents to submit permits electronically. Forms can be downloaded via the City’s Planning and Zoning section of our website (link). You can download a permit online, fill it out, and submit electronically with any necessary supported documents to bstein@waconia.org. The City will call with any follow up questions and can take payment over the phone or via InvoiceCloud.
• The April Planning Commission Meeting has been cancelled. 

City Hall

• Meeting rooms at City Hall will be closed for outside use through March 29, 2020. The City is in contact with any group who has a reservation. This includes the Waconia Area Senior Center. 
• We strongly encourage electronic or over-the-phone payments during this time. Contact 952-442-3107 or visit InvoiceCloud (link). 

Park and Recreation

• The March Park Board meeting has been cancelled
• Effective until March 30, the City has closed Safari Island Community Center and the Waconia Ice Arena. This is for both for social distancing and the demands for deep cleaning.

Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

The City continues to work with local health authorities and others to advise on how best for us to work in limiting the spread of COVID-19 virus and finding a path to health and prosperity again soon. The most important thing right now is for you and your family to take all appropriate measures to prevent the spread of this virus. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Testing Resources

• Carver County and Ridgeview Medical Center have announced the launch of a drive-through COVID-19 testing site and triage hotline call center
  • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, fever, and cough please call 952-361-1559, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:000 p.m. 
  • Adults ages 18-75 years qualify for possible testing.
  • County Public Health staff will triage callers to see if they qualify for COVID-19 testing.
  • If callers qualify, they’ll be directed to the drive-through testing site.
  • There is no cost associated with this testing, which is administered by Ridgeview Medical Center staff. 

Your Drinking Water

• Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. 
• The EPA has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water and wastewater. COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and  standard treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective. 
• The EPA has a Q&A  (link) available that answers questions regarding COVID-19 and drinking water. 
• The CDC has also added a section on water transmission and COVID-19 (link).

Communication Partners

Effective communication is an important component related to managing what is now a global pandemic. We want to provide you with important resources and information on this topic. 

• Carver County/Ridgeview COVID-19 Triage Hotline
  • 952-361-1559 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
• Minnesota Department of Health - School and Childcare Questions
  • 651-297-1304 (7 days/week; 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
  • 1-800-657-3903
• Minnesota Department of Health - Health Questions
  • 651-201-3920 (7 days/week, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
• Carver County Public Health
  • 952-361-1329
  • public-health@co.carver.mn.us
• Waconia School District ISD 110 COVID-19 website:
  • https://www.isd110.org/about-us/superintendent-communications/covid-19-information 
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 website:
  • https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
• CDC Website
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Additional Resources

Metropolitan Area agency on Aging & Senior LinkAge Line

• The Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA) and the Senior LinkAge Line’s first priority is to support older adults and help keep everyone safe. 
• MAAA staff manage Older Americans Act funding for 35 community-based organizations that provide services for low-income older adults - services such as home-delivered meals, assisted transportation, and chore services. MAAA staff are working with these organizations to remove barriers and increase flexibility to ensure that people who need help get it.
• Senior LinkAge Line phone services will continue. Call 1-800-333-2433 if you have any questions or need assistance. They will do your best to answer your questions and connect you with services in your community.