Water Supply Sustainability Program

$2,000,000
in Clean Water
Fund expenditures

The Metropolitan Council supports communities and state agencies to address sustainable drinking water challenges in the region.​

Biennial appropriations (2020 – 2021)

  • $1,000,000 per year
  • 12 active projects
  • 5 consulting companies
  • 2 contracts with the University of Minnesota

Program

Sustainable water supplies depend on:


Information

Reliable data and tools
to help communities
make sound local
decisions


Efficiency

Promoting wise water use
to minimize costs for communities.


Funding

Helping the region maximize the use of existing infrastructure and investments within sustainable limits of the resources.


Collaboration

Bringing together communities, agencies,
and other partners to
meet current and future demand.

Results

Increased Collaboration: Community participation in sub-regional water supply work groups increased 65% from 2005-2016.

Water Efficiency:​ Many communities have participated in and benefited from Council projects. From 2013 to 2018, twenty-six MnTAP projects saved partners millions of gallons and dollars.​

Implementation of Sustainable Approaches:​ An increasing number of communities and businesses are exploring and implementing surface water, stormwater, and wastewater reuse.​

Improved Project Implementation:​ Communities’ comprehensive plans goals are supported by local water supply and source water protection projects. ​

Informed Decisions:​ Technical studies and data inform local and regional water supply decision-making, to ensure supplies of drinking water are adequate for current and future population.​

Example Projects

 


Metro Model 3

Regional groundwater modeling


Water Supply Feasibility Studies

Technical analyses supporting long-term reliability


Water Efficiency Grant Program

Grant funds to communities to reduce water use


Minnesota Technical Assistance Program

Helps groundwater using industries and organizations save water and money