Communities in the Northeast Metro subregion are exclusively sourced by groundwater, mostly from the Prairie du Chien and Jordan aquifers. Most communities in this subregion operate municipal community public water supply systems that provide residents and businesses with water, but some communities do not have public water supply systems. In these communities, which are often more rural, residents get water from privately-owned and operated wells. Additionally, 25 of the 27 communities in the Northeast Metro subregion overlap with or are adjacent to land that has been identified as a Drinking Water Supply Management Area.
Northeast Metro subregion communities have some unique water resource limitations and associated water supply sustainability challenges. These include increasing water demand from a growing population, shallow aquifers connected to surface waters, the presence of a major groundwater divide, shifting climate trends, and legacy contamination. Communities and state regulators continue to collaborate on solutions to ensure water resources are protected and community needs are met, while use restrictions have been put in place by state regulators.
Core Team
These individuals helped to design and kick-off the initial approach to engagement in the Northeast subregion in 2023/2024 during development of the draft Metro Area Water Supply plan. Once the plan is adopted in 2025, the core team will be updated to prepare for the next phase of engagement.