Wastewater & Water Services

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the seven-county Twin Cities metro region. We also work with many partners to monitor the water quality of lakes, streams, and rivers in the region.

Our 9 treatment plants process about 250 million gallons of wastewater every day from more than 2 million residents in 111 communities. Wastewater is conveyed to treatment plants through more than 600 miles of large interceptor sewer pipes that collect the flow from local municipal sewers.

The wastewater treated at each plant flows back into regional rivers in much cleaner condition than the river itself. All our treatment plants consistently achieve at least 99% of their federal and state permit requirements.

Regional wastewater treatment is paying off: area rivers now support a diversity of aquatic life, and waterways are once again suitable for fishing, boating, and other recreation.

Find information about:

• Wastewater treatment
• Industrial waste
• Water quality management
• Interceptor conveyance

Meet the people working to clean our water and protect our environment

Our staff have a wide range of skills and experience. See brief video interviews with staff who provide planning, wastewater treatment, and other services.