Water Quality Management

Met Council protects water quality, public health

We develop plans to preserve and manage the region's water resources

Taking water samples from a stream.Residents of the Twin Cities metro area count on clean drinking water. They value the water quality of the region’s lakes, streams, and rivers. While many public, private, and nonprofit organizations have a role in protecting water quality, the Metropolitan Council is responsible under state law for developing an overall, regional approach to water planning and management.

The Met Council’s 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan lays out strategies to address water quality challenges. We work with our partners using an integrated approach. The goal is for human activity to have no adverse impact on water quality.

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services approaches water quality with a watershed focus to control pollution from point (specific) and nonpoint (diffuse) sources. We bring together agencies and organizations in partnerships for collaborative planning and implementation.

Our key water quality activities and informationLooking for additional water data and information?  See the Key Water Information Catalog.