Wastewater & Water Planning

Water resources have sustained this region for millennia – and wise planning now can ensure a water-rich future for generations to come.

The key is building region-wide support that brings people and organizations together working toward common goals.

In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the Council’s 2030 Regional Development Framework helps provide direction for the region as it grows in population from 2.6 million people in 2000 to 3.6 million in 2030.

Supporting the development framework, the Council’s newest Water Resources Management Policy Plan integrates water resources management and protection with regional growth planning.

The water resources plan provides regional guidelines for environmental systems in which the Council has some statutory responsibility – wastewater service, surface water management and water supply – and helps focus the discussion among regional partners.

Through its polices and planning, the Council is committed to working collaboratively with state and federal agencies, local and county government, watershed management organizations, interest groups and the public to protect the region’s rich water resources as the region continues to grow.

The Council's planning efforts focus on 3 primary areas:


Wastewater Treatment

Provide high-quality, efficient and cost-effective regional wastewater service for Twin Cities region.

Water Supply Planning

Reliable sources of clean water have been critical to development in the Twin Cities region.

Water Resources

Intended to helpensure the "coordinated, orderly and economical development" of the Twin Cities region.

In 2005, the Minnesota State Legislature directed the Council to begin planning for future water supply needs in the metropolitan area. Subsequently, the legislature established the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee which, working with the Council and its partners, developed a long-range plan to guide water supply development.

In March 2010, the Council approved the Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan. The plan lays out a flexible, adaptive strategy to managing long-range water supply, and guides water supply planning at the local and regional level.