SPRWS has been battling severe taste and odor problems in the water supplied to the public. A study found that the main culprit for the water quality problems was phosphorus and that Lambert Creek provided 55% of the phosphorus even though it is only 10% of the incoming water. A goal of 50% phosphorus reduction from Lambert Creek was set by SPRWS.

Reducing the phosphorus in Lambert Creek will not only benefit SPRWS, it will enhance water quality throughout VLAWMO. High phosphorus leads to algae blooms which can be toxic to fish, wildlife, and humans, reduced fish and wildlife populations, and reductions in valuable plant life. It also leads to a reduction in recreational and aesthetic values for humans and also can reduce the value of homes and land near that waterbody and ultimately lower our quality of life.

VLAWMO and SPRWS received grant money from the MN Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to implement projects which would improve water quality in Lambert Creek and therefore in Vadnais Lake. The projects included the restoration of a wetland and projects to improve the stability of eroding shorelines along with replacing deteriorating flumes which are used for water quality monitoring.