.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US&width=350&height=184 "Roseville is one of seven communities that is receiving an equity-focused water efficiency grant from the Met Council this funding cycle.")
The Metropolitan Council recently awarded seven cities with grants totaling nearly $210,000 that will expand access to water conservation opportunities to underserved communities in the metro region.
The equity-focused water efficiency grant pilot program will allow residents to swap existing toilets with more efficient WaterSense-labeled toilets approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With program criteria being developed at the local level, participating cities can tailor their pilot programs to best meet the needs of residents who may have experienced barriers to participation in the past. There are no costs for renters and homeowners, and no matching funds requirement for municipalities. The Met Council grants fully cover expenses – even installation and plumbing costs are eligible.
New program hopes to be flush with participants
The new program complements the Met Council’s existing Water Efficiency Grant Program, which has awarded millions of dollars to municipalities and homeowners for replacing older devices with newer, water-efficient models. Recently, the Met Council assessed that program to gauge its effectiveness and to find out who benefited from it the most since its inception in 2015.
“The region needs more equitable water outcomes,” said Jennifer Kostrzewski, Met Council assistant manager for Water Resources. “This new pilot program specifically targets communities that might not have the resources or awareness to participate in previous water efficiency programs. It was co-designed with municipal partners to increase the number of cities participating and to provide risk- and cost-free service for residents.”
Kostrzewski added that the new program aligns with the Met Council’s commitment to equity in its Water Policy Plan, which is part of the new Imagine 2050 regional development guide. The long-range plan includes input from a host of local officials, advocates, and residents, and features policies to help shape how the region grows over the next 30+ years.
Partnering with municipalities to improve water efficiency
The Met Council provides funding and guidance, but each of the seven qualifying municipalities will determine their own program criteria and decide how to roll out the pilot program to residents. Entities receiving funds this round include the cities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Fridley, Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Roseville, and Saint Paul Regional Water Services.
“The focus of this water equity grant pilot is to connect available funding for water efficiency with underserved and disproportionately burdened communities,” said Henry McCarthy, Met Council senior environmental scientist. “While the Met Council can provide regional-level data to help shape program design, we believe municipalities know their communities best. We develop overall guidelines and funding requirements, and let our partners take it from there.”
Municipalities are tasked with deciding whether toilets will be purchased by residents or by the city. They’ll also promote the program, determine eligibility, connect with plumbers if applicable, and reimburse residents. Some municipalities are targeting specific neighborhoods or projects while others are taking a broader approach to their program participation.
Building a legacy of water conservation
This is the fourth round of Met Council water efficiency grants since the program began. The grants have helped fund the replacement of more than 15,000 devices with more efficient WaterSense- and Energy Star-labeled devices – cumulatively, these devices are estimated to save more than 200 million gallons annually. More than 40 municipalities served by a municipal public water supply system are currently participating in the existing Water Efficiency Grant Program. Each of the seven municipalities that applied for the new equity-focused program received their full funding request.
Along with the $400,000 earmarked for the equity-focused pilot, another $1.1 million has been allocated for the current grant cycle of the existing Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Minnesota Legislature allocates grant funds through the Clean Water, Land & Legacy amendment. Only about $210,000 has been requested for the equity-focused program. However, municipalities currently participating in either program can request additional funds.
Funds will be dispersed through June 30, 2026.