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