Cities and townships in the seven-county metro region that are served by a municipal public water supply system may now apply to the Metropolitan Council for grants to help residents, businesses, and municipal governments reduce their water use.
The Met Council is making $1.4 million in state funding available for the 2026-2028 Water Efficiency Grant Program. Grants will range from $5,000 to $75,000 and require a 20% municipal match. While the Met Council provides guidelines detailing eligible grant activities, each community can design its own program.
The Met Council awarded the first water efficiency grants in 2016. Efforts across the lifespan of this program have resulted in a cumulative estimated 260 million gallons of reduced water use annually.
“The Met Council’s partnerships with our communities are very successful,” said Gail Cederberg, chair of the Met Council’s Environment Committee. “Together, we’re safeguarding the sustainability of water sources for future generations by conserving and using water efficiently. The program also helps the region make the best use of our water infrastructure and treatment investments.”
New program adds eligible devices, includes equity component
In the past, communities have commonly provided rebates to residents for replacement of toilets, dishwashers, and clothes washers, as well as lawn irrigation audits and replacement of irrigation controllers and water sprinklers.
.jpg.aspx?lang=en-US "WaterSense and EnergyStar-labeled devices are eligible for rebates under the grant program.")
Among the changes in 2026-2028 grant program:
- Communities may design their local program to include municipal property. Device replacements, irrigation system audits, and the conversion of existing turfgrass to low-input landscaping/drought-tolerant alternatives are now eligible.
- Additional WaterSense and Energy Star-labeled devices authorized for rebates include faucets and faucet accessories; flushing urinals and flushometer-valve toilets; and commercial clothes washers and dishwashers.
- Municipalities operating a residential-facing rebate or grant program may elect to include a low-income cost assistance option in their program and apply for an additional $10,000 (maximum grant amount of $85,000).
The Met Council engaged communities with a survey to develop program change proposals, which they brought back to communities for feedback.
Apply for a water efficiency grant by April 13
The application deadline is April 13. Only municipalities that operate or are served by a municipal public water supply system are eligible to apply. If the total funding requested exceeds available funds, grants will be adjusted based on municipal residential per capita water use; municipal ratio of peak-month-to-winter-month water use; and estimated water savings from the community’s proposed program.
The Met Council will approve grant awards in May, and grant funds will be available for use starting on July 1.
Water Efficiency Grant Program information.
Funding for the grants comes from the Clean Water Fund of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.