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.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. New Brighton Community Center 400 10th St. NW New Brighton, MN 55112
Northeast Metro Chapter of the Water Supply Atlas
Feasibility Assessment of Approaches to Water Sustainability in the Northeast Metro Feasibility Study of Joint Water Utility – Cities of Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Hugo, Lexington and Lino Lakes
Characterizing Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction in Northeast Metro Area Lakes, MN
Industrial Water Conservation in the North and East Groundwater Management Area
Final report: Regional Groundwater Recharge and Stormwater Capture and Reuse Study: North and East Metro Study Area (PDF, 28 MB) - Completed May 2016