BEYOND THE STATUS QUO: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report

LAKE ST. CROIX TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction...... 4 Health Equity and Water...... 5 GOAL #1: Manage Water Resources to Meet Increasing Demands ...... 6

GOAL #2: Manage Our Built Environment to Protect Water...... 14

GOAL #3: Increase and Maintain Living Cover Across Watersheds ...... 20

GOAL #4: Ensure We Are Resilient to Extreme Rainfall...... 28 Legislative Charge The Environmental Quality Board is mandated to produce a five year water Contaminants of Emerging Concern...... 34 policy report pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 103A 204. and 103A 43. . Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry. . . . . 36 This report was prepared by the Environmental Quality Board with the Board More Information ...... 43 of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Health, Department Appendices available online: of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, • 2015 Groundwater Monitoring Status Report and Pollution Control Agency . • Five-Year Assessment of Water Quality Degradation Trends and Prevention Efforts Edited by Mary Hoff • Minnesota’s Water Industry Economic Profile Graphic Design by Paula Bohte • The Agricultural BMP Handbook for Minnesota The total cost of preparing this report was $76,000 • Water Availability Assessment Report

2 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Minnesota is home to more than 10,000 lakes, 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, and abundant groundwater resources. However, many of these waters are not clean enough. In 2015, we took a major step toward improving our water by enacting a law that protects water quality by requiring buffers on more than 100,000 acres of land adjacent to water.

This legislation builds on the commitment we made in 2008 to protect drinking water and restore waterways with the passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Since that time, we created Minnesota’s Clean Water Roadmap with clear targets to guide our efforts. We continue to measure our progress in the biennial Clean Water Fund Performance Report . We are thinking more holistically about protecting drinking water, preserving habitat and maintaining recreational opportunities. The resulting coordination across state and local governments makes us better stewards of our lands.

Access to clean water is not just a Minnesota issue. It is a national and global concern, and Minnesota is well-positioned to address it as a global leader in the clean water industry. Minnesota ranks in the top 10 nationally for patents and exports of services and products that increase water use efficiency, allow us to reuse water and help us treat water to make it safe to drink. This leadership results from synergy among our state’s entrepreneurs, cutting-edge research and development, a world-class university system, and a critical mass of industries .

Minnesotans are rightly proud of these accomplishments. However, as a headwater state for three major waterways, we also recognize we have more work to do. In too many places our investments only maintain the status quo, which is simply not good enough. To ensure that Minnesota’s fish are safe to eat, that our water is safe to drink and our lakes are safe for swimming, we need to do a better job. Clean water is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and a vital resource for our citizens. Let’s work together to guarantee a healthy water legacy for future generations.

David Frederickson Brian Napstad John Linc Stine Dr. Edward Ehlinger Tom Landwehr EQB Chair, EQB Vice Chair, Commissioner – Commissioner – Commissioner – Commissioner – Chair – Board of Water Pollution Control Department of Health Department of Department of Agriculture and Soil Resources Agency Natural Resources

Mike Rothman Charlie Zelle Adam Duininck Katie Clark Sieben Matt Massman Commissioner - Commissioner - Chair - Commissioner - Commissioner - Department of Department of Metropolitan Council Department of Department of Commerce Transportation Employment and Administration Economic Development

POLK COUNTY Kate Knuth Erik J. Tomlinson Kristen Eide-Tollefson Julie Goehring John Saxhaug EQB Citizen Member EQB Citizen Member EQB Citizen Member EQB Citizen Member EQB Citizen Member

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 3 INTRODUCTION

made decades ago. And the choices we make today will affect future Minnesotans for decades to come . The impacts of these choices are further compounded by weather extremes that threaten health, safety and property .

How we use land affects others’ water Minnesota is home to the headwaters for three of the largest drainage basins in North America. This means that the way we manage our water affects many others downstream. Minnesota set goals to reduce pollutants leaving the state as follows: • Gulf of Mexico: reduce nitrogen and phosphorus 45 percent from the 1980–1996 baseline • Lake Winnipeg: reduce nitrogen by 13 percent and phosphorus by 10 percent from the 2003 baseline • Lake Superior: maintain 1979 conditions for phosphorus and continue LAKE ELMO nutrient management programs

This report is organized as a menu of options to move beyond the status How we use our lands can result in real costs quo on water challenges Minnesota faces. It was developed and written Building in floodplains and human changes to watersheds that increase by state agencies with the intent of providing a framework to continue a runoff combine to increase flood damages. Pollutants make public broad conversation on water policy with local and state implementation waters unfit for swimming or fishing. Contamination and decreased partners. The layout acknowledges that water challenges and solutions recharge of aquifers create uncertainty in our water supplies. We are are interrelated and that the solutions described here are only some of already spending millions of dollars to rebuild after floods, clean up the possible approaches to meet the following goals: contaminated wells and build new treatment facilities to meet our #1: Manage water resources to meet increasing demands water supply needs. We are losing places to fish, hunt and recreate due #2: Manage our built environment to protect water to lower water levels and lost wetland habitats. One way or another there are costs, and we eventually pay a price. It is more economical to Increase and maintain living cover across watersheds #3: prevent problems than to clean up after they occur . #4: Ensure we are resilient to extreme rainfall Minnesota’s water technology industry How we use land affects our water Minnesota is a global leader in production of technology to treat, reuse The choices landowners make on the landscape determine whether it and conserve water. This leadership results from the synergy of our is able to hold the soil, absorb rainfall and filter nutrients. Our choices entrepreneurs, cutting-edge research and development, a world-class in the built environment affect how water drains off roads and other higher education system, and a cluster of innovative industries. As we impervious surfaces, carrying contaminants that can impair water work to prevent further degradation, we need to continue to foster an quality. In many cases today’s consequences were affected by choices economic sector that will produce solutions to future challenges.

4 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Health Equity and Water Four types of solutions to change the status quo: In Minnesota, everyone depends on water for drinking, fishing or recreating. Access to clean, abundant water for these purposes contributes to overall health and well-being. Yet certain populations face Put the tools and resources into the hands of Minnesotans . Voluntary conditions that prevent them from attaining their highest possible level These solutions often include incentives, outreach to encourage of health . Health inequities are socially determined circumstances and voluntary action or public discussion of trade-offs and goals . are possible to change . Regulatory Create laws, regulations and/or guidelines . Safe Drinking Water Implementation includes permit requirements, monitoring, • Rur al communities have fewer people to share the cost of drinking codes and standards . water services and face unique issues such as pollution from agriculture and inadequate sewage infrastructure. System change Identify and work to change the status quo through market forces, cultural expectations, governance models • Private well owners facing financial, language or educational barriers and management structures . may be less likely than others to test or treat their well for contaminants. • The elderly and children are at highest risk for illness from contaminated More study Propose additional research or monitoring where drinking water. more information is needed . Studies could include developing new technology, monitoring water or land use, or social science to Fishing understand cultural barriers . • Some American Indian, poor and minority groups consume high rates of fish and types of fish that increase the risk from contaminants. • Y oung children, developing fetuses and breast-fed babies are at most Minnesota’s land cover has changed dramatically since risk from mercury in fish because small amounts can damage a brain European settlement. that is just starting to form or grow. Recreating • Urban poor have limited access to water recreation due to poverty, safety and walkability of neighborhoods, distance from parks and lakes, and transportation limitations . Land Cover Impervious surface Agriculture land Forests and shrubs Grasslands Wetlands Water

Pre-European settlement Today’s land cover LAKE ELMO

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 5 Goal #1: Promote Sustainable Water Use

Groundwater Uses in Minnesota in an Average Year (2011) billion gallons per year

8% 34% 53% 5% INDUSTRIAL IRRIGATION WATER OTHER PROCESSES 87 .9 BG SUPPLY 11 .6 BG 20 .8 BG SYSTEMS 137 .5 BG

WILLIAM O’BRIEN STATE PARK Groundwater systems are complex and largely unseen . Because water can move Manage water resources to meet very slowly underground, increasing demands impacts of today’s actions may take months or years to As Minnesota’s population and economy grow, so does our use of appear and years or decades water. In particular, groundwater use has increased 35 percent over the to resolve . past 25 years, and use continues to increase. This trend may not be sustainable. MINNEAPOLIS

Parts of Minnesota are vulnerable to groundwater shortages due to high pumping or population growth combined with overreliance on a single water source. Minnesota is not yet in crisis, but we see warning The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources signs in some areas where groundwater supply is at risk of depletion. requires an appropriation permit for anyone who uses, Overuse of groundwater can also harm surface waters that depend on removes or transfers more than 10,000 gallons per day or 1 million it, such as trout streams and wetlands. gallons per year of surface water or groundwater. In evaluating permit requests, the department considers the best available Groundwater pumping can introduce or move contaminants. Water information, including whether permits meet a sustainability moves easily through sands and the cracks in karst areas, making the standard established in state statute: “that the groundwater use groundwater underneath the sandy soils of central Minnesota and the is sustainable to supply the needs of future generations and the karst of southeastern Minnesota particularly sensitive to pollution. proposed use will not harm ecosystems, degrade water, or reduce Groundwater and surface water are interconnected, so depletion or water levels beyond the reach of public water supply and private contamination of groundwater can affect surface water as well. domestic wells…” (Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.287, subd. 5).

6 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Well Water Level Trends While not all of Minnesota has water supply issues, Minnesota Population and Water Trends numerous wells have shown a decrease in water level

6,000,000 280 in recent years (1993–2012).

5,000,000 Total Community 200 Water Supply Use Population Projection 4,000,000 120

POPULATION Water Level

Historic Population BILLION GALLONS Downward None 3,000,000 0 Upward 1970

2018 Insufficient Data 2016 1950 2014 1980 1960 1990 2010 2020 2000

SOURCE: MNDNR & MN STATE DEMOGRAPHIC CENTER

LITTLE ROCK CREEK Changes in Water Sources Over Time Increased groundwater pumping for irrigation in the watershed has decreased groundwater inputs to Little Rock Creek, 250 decreasing oxygen and increasing Community Water Supply water temperatures that harm Groundwater Surface water brown trout populations. 150 Total

100

BILLION GALLONS 50 REDWOOD RIVER AREA Declining aquifer levels are causing water supply issues for 0 communities, industry and wildlife areas along the Redwood River. 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 19952000 2005 2010 2014

SOURCE: MNDNR SOURCE: MNDNR

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 7 Goal #1: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Promote Sustainable Water Use

Voluntary Solutions Increasing Crop Irrigation in Minnesota Water-intensive Use agricultural irrigation water more efficiently industries in the 550,000 _ 90 Twin Cities Many farmers have adopted low- _ 85 metropolitan area pressure irrigation, and most new Crop Irrigation use some 8 5. billion gallons center-pivot irrigation systems 500,000 _ in Acres 80 of water per year from their have low-pressure systems _ 75 own wells . In the summer attached, making them an 450,000 of 2012, the Metropolitan industry standard . The incentive _ 70 Council and the Minnesota for irrigators is not only more 400,000 _ 65 Technical Assistance efficient water application, but _ Program sponsored three also energy savings resulting in 60 engineering interns to lower utility costs. This is just 350,000 _ Billion Gallons 55 spend a summer at three one example of success for water _ industries focusing on conservation in Minnesota; many Cropland of Irrigated Acres 50 300,000 Crop Irrigation water conservation . The other water conservation efforts _ in Billion Gallons 45 three interns identified are also underway. _ 250,000 40 opportunities to save more The use of precision weather data than 44 million gallons of 1985 1995 2014 1980 1990 2010 2005 to estimate crop water needs has 2000 water per year . great potential to further boost SOURCE: MNDNR & NASS efficiency. A network of weather stations provides information such Improve industrial water efficiency as precipitation, air temperature, air humidity, wind speed and Minnesota’s ample clean water Water Saved From Increased Industrial Efficiency solar radiation . Irrigators use attracts and retains many this information to determine if, industries. While water itself Gedney Federal Northern Pickles Cartridge Star Foods when and how much to water is relatively inexpensive, the crops. In partnership with local energy that goes into pumping, 2012 water use (gal) 94,666,800 87,156,500 121,656,000 governments, the Minnesota heating and treating it is costly . Department of Agriculture has 11 Inefficiencies in industrial processes and equipment can Minnesota Technical operating weather station sites. Assistance Program– 6,400,000 30,600,000 7,000,000 The Minnesota Department of waste water and the energy used to pump and heat it . Increasing identified annual water Natural Resources plans to install savings (gal) an additional 50 . water efficiency not only saves companies money, it can also benefit the community that shares Annual water savings 6 8% . 35 1% . 5 8% . those water resources, making it as % of total use a win-win for the bottom line and the environment . Annual $ savings $94,800 $57,480 $166,300

8 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Regulatory Solution SUCCESS STORY Update plumbing codes and treatment standards to allow for Mankato Wastewater Reuse safe and practical water reuse

When Mankato Energy Center MINNEAPOLIS Water withdrawn from Minnesota built a 1,000-megawatt aquifers, streams and lakes is natural gas–fired power rarely reused, even though the plant 10 years ago, it chose water (or treated wastewater) to use treated wastewater RUNOFF REUSE RUNOFF REUSE remaining after use is clean rather than groundwater for POTENTIAL SOURCES POTENTIAL USES enough to be reused for industrial cooling . The center paid the • Rainwater harvest • Toilet flushing and agricultural purposes . This wastewater treatment plant • Gray water • Irrigation single-use habit puts unnecessary to install phosphorus removal pressure on water supplies. equipment and in return • Stormwater • Vehicle washing received a 20-year contract for Water reuse can reduce demand • Reclaimed • Decorative fountains 6 .2 million gallons per day of on water resources, but we wastewater reclaimed water at no charge. • Aquifer recharge need clear standards to address After using the water up to four public health and environmental times, the center discharges it concerns . Federal guidelines for to the Minnesota River . implementing reuse safely are largely absent, leaving regulation up to state and local governments . Minnesota lacks a comprehensive, statewide approach to guide municipalities, industries and others interested in water reuse. To make this an option, codes 45 and guidelines need to be revised billion gallons or created. An interagency work of groundwater saved group is identifying gaps in current regulation and assessing the safety due to this project and practicality of reuse options . over 20 years or nearly 10 Olympic-size swimming pools per day!

ROSHOLT FARM, WESTPORT

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 9 Goal #1: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Promote Sustainable Water Use

System Change • r educe industrial, commercial and agricultural water use Motivate consumers to 1 5. percent per year or 15 conserve water percent over 10 years

Cities, hospitals, prisons and other • ease demand on water public water suppliers will assess systems during summer’s their water conservation strategies peak use through when they file updated water conservation supply plans for 2016–18 with the Minnesota Department of Natural • pr omote water rates and Resources . The goal is to provide rate structures that reward sufficient, affordable drinking conservation, focusing on MDH water while also being prepared nonessential uses such as lawn and landscape watering for emergencies that disrupt water Demand for municipal water is higher in summer supplies . • es tablish criteria to track than in winter in Minnesota, due in part to outdoor The department must approve and measure the effect of watering. And the gap is widening: Between 1990 and 1994, summer plans before suppliers can the water supply plan on the use was 1.6 times more than winter use, while today, a typical drill new wells, increase water community . community will use up to 2.3 times more water in summer than in appropriations or receive drinking winter. By returning to outdoor watering practices of the 1990s, water revolving fund loans. As the Twin Cities metropolitan region may be able to reduce its total part of the approval process, water use by more than 15 percent, or 16.8 billion gallons per year. the department will ask the water suppliers to meet specific conservation objectives, including:

• r educe water loss through leaking pipes to less than 10 percent of water pumped Seasonal Municipal • decr ease residential water use to an average of 75 gallons per Water Use in a day per person Typical Twin Cities Community

SOURCE: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

10 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Manage the cumulative impacts of groundwater withdrawals More Study How can we better monitor Groundwater The Minnesota Legislature gave Sustainable and report water use? the Department of Natural Management Areas Resources authority to establish groundwater use: To ensure sustainable use of The Minnesota Department groundwater management areas Minnesota’s water, we need to of Natural Resources is “…to ensure sustainable use understand how much water developing three pilot of groundwater that protects we have and how much we groundwater management ecosystems, water quality, and are using . To measure supply, areas plans . These areas have the ability of future generations prevents drawdown we have an observation issues related to drinking water to meet their own needs” well network that is steadily supply, irrigation, potential for (Minnesota Statutes, section of contaminants expanding with a focus on overpumping, contamination or 103G.287, subd. 4). In 2014, the from the surface areas with groundwater population growth. department initiated three pilot or from shallower concerns . Even so, large areas groundwater management area aquifers into of the state are not adequately projects to explore how this new monitored . To measure supply, tool can create system change . deeper ones the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requires The pilot groundwater appropriation permittees to management area projects measure how much water they (GWMAs) have dramatically does not interfere use. However, it is difficult to increased awareness of obtain accurate information: groundwater issues among with other users Only 28 percent of those who water users in the three areas. In report their water use employ the North and East Metro area, an accurate flow-metering for example, cities are engaging device, about 49 percent in water supply planning to does not affect estimate their use based on recognize the limits to growth surface waters time and pumping rate, and 23 that groundwater resources percent do not indicate their represent . In the Straight River method or use other methods . and Bonanza Valley areas, More accurate and consistent discussions are ongoing about does not harm metering and reporting would the importance of irrigation allow for evaluation of uses scheduling and other water aquatic ecosystems Bonanza Valley and needs that could inform conservation techniques to help better water management and North & East Metro agricultural producers use water conservation . Straight River more efficiently. meet current and Watersheds future needs

SOURCE: MNDNR

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 11 Goal #1: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Promote Sustainable Water Use

Water and energy systems even generating energy from What should the price of water are interdependent . waste are all ways to reduce be in Minnesota? When we improve one, energy needs. Can fine-tuning can we relieve stress water systems reduce stresses on Current water pricing may not on the other? energy systems? cover the current and future cost of infrastructure for Water collection, Water, in turn, is used in energy drinking water and wastewater treatment, distribution and production. In Minnesota, power treatment . The U .S . Environmental heating require a lot of energy, as plants are the largest user of Protection Agency estimates does wastewater treatment. For water, though this is mostly that meeting Minnesota drinking local governments this energy surface water that is returned water infrastructure needs will represents a huge expenditure . after use . This use can put stress cost as much as $7.4 billion over Costs could be reduced through on aquatic ecosystems during the next 20 years . The reported upgrades to the water systems dry periods of the year. Low costs to upgrade aging municipal to make them more efficient. stream flows combined with high wastewater treatment systems For instance, sealing leaks in water temperatures can limit the statewide are estimated at distribution pipes, using more generation capacity of power $4 billion. Further, 60 percent efficient pumps to collect water, plants. Could we use electricity of necessary upgrades are at increasing the efficiency of more efficiently to reduce water facilities located in Greater wastewater treatment plants and demands? Minnesota . Because the costs of these upgrades come in municipal water bills, affordability is a critical barrier . With treated wastewater flowing into lakes and streams and thus broadly impacting water quality statewide, MPCA the modernization of wastewater infrastructure is crucial to future Can we develop crops that are water quality in the state. better adapted to drought? Changes in climate affect rainfall variability during the growing season. Drought-tolerant crops 60 PERCENT not only need less water, they of the necessary also can boost water quality by providing ground cover wastewater treatment and reducing erosion and the upgrades are at transport of some contaminants . facilities located in Research and development of drought-tolerant hybrids should Greater Minnesota . investigate how the amount and intensity of precipitation affects MINNESOTA RIVER nutrient uptake and mobility .

12 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Discharge of Groundwater Into Surface Water Is the amount of groundwater Pumped groundwater is used once, treated at wastewater facilities, we discharge as treated SUCCESS STORY and then it is discharged into surface waters (2009 - 2011). wastewater sustainable? Water Recycling Minnesota exports 99 billion gallons of groundwater each The City of East Bethel year (the equivalent of 150,000 lacks a large river system Olympic-size swimming pools!) into which it can discharge by pumping it to municipal wastewater treatment plant users . These users send it to effluent. After being asked wastewater treatment facilities to provide wastewater where it is discharged into rivers treatment services to the and lakes and ultimately ends community, Metropolitan up outside state borders . As Council Environmental groundwater use increased in the Services designed and built a past decade, so did the volume water reclamation plant that of discharge . We don’t have a sends treated water into the comprehensive understanding groundwater system through of the effect of this increased land application . The system volume on downstream also makes it possible to waterways and habitat. We do use effluent to irrigate golf know, however, that if the rate of courses and other grassy withdrawal exceeds the rate at areas. Both of these allow which the aquifer is recharged groundwater withdrawn for Billion gallons/year by precipitation and inflow, human use to remain in the of water withdrawal can draw down watershed. 0 0. – 0 .5 aquifers . 0 .5 – 1 0. 1 0. – 2 0. > 2 0.

LAKE PEPIN SOURCE: MPCA

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 13 Goal #2: Manage Runoff in the Built Environment

Manage our built environment to protect water Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems When we build roads, sidewalks, buildings, parking lots and other Studies from 2004 to 2011 show that higher impervious impervious surfaces, we change the flow of water. When we convert cover is associated with degraded ecosystems. pervious soils stabilized by plant roots into impervious surfaces, we change how water runs off the landscape. These changes include 40 80 an increase in the speed and volume at which runoff enters storm 37% sewer systems, lakes, wetlands and streams, and a decrease in the 35 74 70 amount of water that goes into the ground. Surface runoff from the 31% built environment can contain sediment, oil, fertilizer, pesticides, grass 30 60 clippings, leaves, litter, pet waste, organic compounds, heavy metals

and chlorides. 25 50 WATER BETTER QUALITY 21% 50 Suspended sediments, algae, bacteria and other pollutants can make 20 40 lakes and rivers dangerous and unappealing for swimming and boating. Aquatic life in streams and lakes can be affected by small increases % IMPERVIOUS 15 30 in pollutants such as metals or chloride, temperature, or altered hydrology. Without strong biological health, water bodies are unlikely 25 10 25 9% 20 to sustain healthy fish communities. 23

5 3% 10

0 0

Conventionally built environments increase runoff and SCORE RATING BIOLOGICAL reduce the amount of precipitation that soaks into the soil. Nine Mile Creek Fish Creek Bluff Creek Vermillion River Valley Creek SOURCE: METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

Precipitation Precipitation Designing the built environment giving pollutants a chance to filter Runoff Runoff to mimic natural hydrology out before they enter lakes and increases streams. “Green infrastructure” One approach to combat the water- such as rain gardens and pervious polluting effects of urbanization parking lots can complement is to hold water on the landscape traditional infrastructure and after rain rather than allowing it to help built environments behave rapidly run into storm sewers, lakes more like a natural landscape. It and rivers. This approach mimics can be implemented at a scale natural hydrology by increasing as small as your back yard or as infiltration, decreasing runoff and big as city street reconstructions Infiltration Infiltration increasing water storage — which or the development of large decreases together reduce flooding while subdivisions.

14 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Chloride in Our Waters Chloride Chloride concentrations in wells, lakes, streams and wetlands are trending up in many parts of the state . A Predevelopment An emerging issue in Raindrop Compared management of runoff in the With a Drop of Water built environment is chloride. Twin Cities Metropolitan Area With Contaminants Chloride is a salt that is a key Lakes / Wetlands ingredient in winter deicing Impaired From Runoff chemicals and water softeners. Not Impaired, High Risk Chloride from winter deicing Not Impaired chemicals in urban runoff is an Not Enough Data increasing concern for water Streams quality, particularly because Impaired removal from water systems Not Impaired, High Risk water is prohibitively expensive. At Not Impaired high concentrations, chloride Not Enough Data can harm fish and plant life. Chloride concentrations have increased in about one-third of naturally the wells sampled in the Twin occurring Cities metropolitan area. Water compounds softener brine discharges to municipal wastewater treatment plants also contribute chloride to water across the state.

phosphates

water Some 349,000 tons (May 2015)

pesticides of chloride in the form of winter Chloride Trend Wells heavy deicing chemicals are (mg/L) 1987–2011 metals Up applied in the Twin Down Cities metropolitan None Watersheds area each year. nitrogen oil

sediments SOURCE: MPCA

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 15 Goal #2: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Manage Runoff in the Built Environment

Voluntary Solution Regulatory Solution System Change Control and filter runoff with Require stormwater capture at Institute Minimal Impact green infrastructure construction sites Design Standards

Runoff with contaminants from Minnesota regulates the creation Minimal Impact Design Standards roads, sidewalks, buildings, of impervious surfaces through are voluntary standards parking lots, roofs and other permits to ensure soil is protected developed by the Minnesota impervious surfaces can feed into from erosion when an area Pollution Control Agency at lakes, streams and groundwater. greater than 1 acre is developed. the direction of the Minnesota To hold the water on the land Developers need to have Legislature and stakeholders that and filter out pollutants, we can adequate plans for minimizing enable and promote the use of alter the landscape to mimic stormwater pollution during designs that manage runoff and natural hydrology with green construction and have inspectors stormwater above and beyond infrastructure. Elements of green ensure stormwater practices permit requirements . The design infrastructure include trees, remain functional. New to these standards package, which is pervious pavement, swales, rain OWATONNA permits is the requirement to being used by communities and gardens, infiltration strips, green capture the first inch of water that individuals around the state, street design and green roofs. lands on a site during a storm. includes four major elements: In addition to improving water SUCCESS STORY Except for special circumstances, quality, these elements offer developers must use infiltration, • stormwater volume Owatonna Flooding other valuable benefits, including a form of green infrastructure, to performance goals for new improving air quality, keeping capture the water. development, redevelopment Between 2000 and 2007, and road projects cities cool, adding wildlife habitat, Owatonna experienced four and improving aesthetics and extreme rain events that • a calculator to assess potential property values. Scoring criteria caused more than $10 million impacts of project for the Clean Water Project in damages. The problem of Minnesota requires cities, Priority List, which provides downtown flash flooding, townships, public colleges and • design specifications for green ranking for grants and low- including flooding of the city watershed districts that are infrastructure interest loans to communities, was library, was traced to an increase recently amended to prioritize either part of an urbanized • an ordinance guidance package . in impervious surfaces as homes area or meet population green infrastructure projects. were replaced by parking lots. thresholds to obtain a permit To mitigate the problem, the city to discharge stormwater installed rainwater harvesting infrastructure, rain gardens and into sewers or surface water . porous alleys. The porous alley Municipal stormwater permit Runoff can carry not only protected the library requirements for construction Vegetation slows the contaminants to surface from flooding, but also reduced include a strong preference flow of water and helps the amount of pollution washing for green infrastructure water and groundwater. into area waterways. to manage stormwater . filter contaminants.

16 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report More Study Can we minimize or reverse past water quality degradation due to Green infrastructure is an approach to historic urbanization? water management that protects, restores We need to assess the performance or mimics the natural water cycle. of green infrastructure to determine where it is having the biggest impact . We can do so by monitoring the flow, chemistry, biology and habitats, before LINDSTRÖM and after green infrastructure is deployed, of: SUCCESS STORY • relatively pristine streams Lindström Green Infrastructure and lakes with encroaching development Since 2011, the city of Lindström has installed 35 rain gardens, • streams in urban watersheds on two sand filters, four vegetated the cusp of not being able to BUILDINGS HARDSCAPE swales, one gully stabilization, support aquatic life one shoreline restoration and one permeable parking lot. These We can use the monitoring results projects will annually keep some to assess the effectiveness and Green Infrastructure 24,000 pounds of sediment and weigh the costs and benefits of can be used across our communities nearly 30 pounds of phosphorus best management practices . out of nearby lakes. LANDSCAPE SURFACE WATER

MINIMAL IMPACT DESIGN STANDARDS PROJECTS TO DATE COVER 300,160 ACRES .

BATTLE CREEK

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 17 Goal #2: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Manage Chloride in Runoff

Voluntary Solution Regulatory Solution SUCCESS STORY Provide stable funding for smart Reduce liability for applicators salting training programs who attend training on best Waconia Winter Deicing management practices The Minnesota Pollution Control The city of Waconia’s Public Agency provides smart salting Private applicators of winter Services Department applies training to local governments and deicing chemicals assume risk deicing materials on street private applicators to teach winter of liability should someone slip center lanes, concrete maintenance professionals how and get hurt due to inadequate sidewalks and trails. By to apply deicing chemicals in a treatment . To provide an switching from hand-applied way that creates safe walking and incentive to balance safety and and truck-applied chloride driving conditions while minimizing environmental concerns, the products to liquid applications water contamination. However this TWIN CITIES METRO state could limit liability for and making calibration and program has limited federal funds. private applicators and business equipment changes, staff Department of Transportation Stable funding and new delivery owners who contract with them reduced the rate of applied models are needed to maintain Technology Deployment if the private applicator goes deicing salt by 70 percent. and expand training opportunities. through smart salting training Training for Minnesota Department of and is certified. Transportation maintenance workers is provided annually by the department, 228,946 tons and local agencies can request (AVERAGE OF PAST training through the Minnesota Local 5 SEASONS) SUCCESS STORY Technical Assistance Program. Prior Lake Winter Deicing COST BASED ON SUCCESS STORY AVERAGE CURRENT PRICE SUCCESS STORY Over seven years, Prior Lake Joe’s Lawn & Snow upgraded its deicing fleet with Limited Liability controllers and new sanders In Minneapolis, Joes Lawn & Snow $17.2 million that apply pre-wet material treats sidewalks and parking lots New Hampshire passed a law at more efficient rates than with deicing chemicals. Before POTENTIAL in 2013 to limit the liability of dry application . Average attending the Minnesota business owners and private application rates plummeted Pollution Control Agency’s SAVINGS WITH THE applicators who contract from 500 pounds of salt per smart salting training class, Joe’s MAINTENANCE DECISION or conduct snowplowing or employees relied on application lane-mile in 2005 to 200–250 deicing if the applicator is rates listed on deicers and their SUPPORT SYSTEM pounds per lane-mile of pre- own best judgment to determine certified through the University wet salt in 2010. Overall road how much material to apply. $5.2 million of New Hampshire’s Green salt use dropped 42 percent After taking the course, the SnowPro program. Since then, from 2005 to 2010 even with a employees reduced salt use (approximately 30%) winter deicing chemical use 7 percent increase in mileage. by about 50 percent without per year has decreased 20 percent and reducing their level of service. water quality has improved.

18 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Goal #2: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Manage Chloride in Runoff

System Change equipment and materials to make situation-specific treatment Maintenance Decision Support System and Provide funding to deploy recommendations and provide them Automated Vehicle Location smart technology to operators and field supervisors. These tools remove uncertainty GPS Satellites Historically, deicing chemical that can lead applicators to over- applicators decided how much apply chemicals . They also can chemical to apply based on save money by reducing extra experience and route details . Today, snowplow shifts and overtime Modem Data Radio technologies are available that hours, decreasing the number of Tower reduce the volume of chemicals truck miles, limiting liability by One-Way needed . Some of these technologies documenting how much salt is GPS Location change application methods, while placed on a road and reducing the Information others are based on integrating cost of deicing materials . site-specific data. Expansion of Base Two-Way Local governments are limited Communications Station Data liquid deciers has been the most Server Controller Message widespread result of these efforts. by funds in their ability to deploy these technologies . Given the The Minnesota Department of Dispatch eventual payback from savings on Wireless Transportation deploys two new Communications Network software tools, the Maintenance overtime expenses, fuel and truck Center Decision Support System and maintenance, and reduced chemical Automated Vehicle Location, which use, these technologies could be use weather forecasts, current and financed with revolving loan funds More Study conditions for driving and walking. forecast pavement conditions, or a program in which users pay for Resulting snow management plans and knowledge of route-specific the tools from savings that accrue . How can we better address public could provide clear guidance and expectations and engagement in standards for practices such as: deicing chemical application? • snow removal and disposal Traditional education campaigns • deicing chemical storage and are important tools for raising application awareness about how deicing chemicals impair lakes, rivers and • winter construction control groundwater. However, changing • pollution prevention . attitudes about deicing chemicals will also require a planning process Data shows chloride levels that engages citizens, watershed continue to increase in surface organizations, lake associations, and groundwater across neighborhood groups and local the state . In the Twin Cities governments . The planning metropolitan area, thirty-nine process is an opportunity for waterbodies exceed the water public discourse on the trade- quality standard for chloride offs among cost, environmental TWIN CITIES METRO and many more are unknown . concerns, and acceptable winter

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 19 Goal #3: Increase Living Cover

Increase and maintain living cover have changed agriculture in Living cover includes: ways that contribute to water Perennial crops: Perennial across watersheds contamination — for example, grasses, hay and pasture anchor increasing row crop production, An important part of comprehensive watershed planning is to the soil, build organic matter, changing tillage, increasing strategically increase and maintain diverse living plant cover. Living and increase the soil’s ability to miles of agricultural drain tile, cover helps restore aspects of natural hydrology by holding water on hold water and nutrients. the landscape, filtering contaminants and allowing water to recharge and converting grasslands and aquifers while reducing runoff. Living cover over the recharge area of forests to farmland. We have not Cover crops: Grasses, small grains, wells and aquifers can filter out contaminants and protect drinking yet offset these impacts with a legumes and winter annuals provide water sources. Similarly, living cover can help filter and reduce the corresponding change in land cover before the primary crop volume of runoff to lakes and streams, preventing harm to ecosystems use to protect soil and water. By establishes and after it is harvested, and places we value for recreation or habitat. In Goal #2 we focus on putting all of the pieces of the reducing runoff, erosion the built environment, while this section focuses on other lands. watershed puzzle together, we and nitrate leaching. can ensure that every Minnesotan Agriculture is central to our economy and food security, but we need has access to clean water to drink, Prairie and grasses: Grasses and to reduce water quality threats through strategic land use practices, to play in and to fish as well as to prairie plants have extensive root such as prioritizing the most productive lands for annual row crops support a vibrant economy. systems that hold soil in place. while converting highly erodible and marginal production lands Grass or prairie buffers can be to living cover. Global market forces and federal and state policy added in fields, on field edges or as grassed waterways.

Progression of Changes in Blue Earth County Wetlands: Natural and constructed wetlands prevent Before being converted erosion and filter water, to farmland, the absorbing excess nutrients landscape included before they enter lakes and a range of natural streams. features, such as wetlands and prairie. Forests: Forests filter water Technology has allowed and maintain deep root 1937 1948 1952 2015 us to boost agricultural systems that stabilize soil This 400-acre farm is The tile system was By 1952 soybeans and Aerial photos of the efficiency and on flat land with poorly installed in 1948. It was corn were planted on farm from the 1960s to and build organic matter. drained soils . Diverse estimated that 38,000 a larger portion of the present show the farm productivity to enhance crops include oats, feet of tile were laid on farm along with pasture, predominantly in corn food security, but also No till/minimum till: After alfalfa, pasture, wild hay, this 400-acre farm. peas, winter wheat, and soybean rotations . has made the landscape harvest, plant residue can be barley and corn . Note alfalfa, oats and flax. depressional sloughs or more homogeneous, left in place to protect soils “potholes” dotting the with fewer acres from erosion before crops landscape . of small grains and establish the next spring. perennials such as hay . CREDIT: DR . SHAWN P . SCHOTTLER

20 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Maximum Nitrate–Nitrogen Concentrations in Public and Domestic Wells Long-Term Trends for Corn, Hay and Small Grain: 1921 to 2014 The map shows three categories of contamination in mg/L: showing As Minnesota’s crop mix shifted toward corn, nitrogen human influence (3–5), of concern to state agencies (5–10), and above fertilizer sales rose and threats to water quality increased. the federal safe drinking water standard (>10). (1990–2015) 12 900,000 Nitrogen Sales Data Not Available Prior Nitrogen 800,000 10 700,000

8 600,000

500,000 6 Small Grain Corn 400,000

MILLION ACRES 4 300,000

200,000 2 Hay 100,000 SOURCE: NASS & MDA

0 0 OF N – TONS SALES NITROGEN FERTILIZER 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

CLEAR LAKE Conversion of forested land in the Central Sand Plains is removing (pop. 525): $7,600 living cover from an area vulnerable to groundwater contamination . Some of the land is being converted to agriculture . In these sandy cost for treatment per soils, tillage and nitrogen fertilizer from row cropping can result household to replace in nitrate leaching into groundwater and discharging into surface a treatment plant waters . Some communities in this area have experienced previous nitrate contamination that required building expensive treatment facilities, blending in low nitrate water, or drilling new wells to meet the safe drinking water standard . SAINT PETER (pop. 11,196): $1,600 Loss of Acres in Conservation Reserve Programs (Statewide) cost for treatment per 0 household to build Between 2015 and a treatment plant 2018, contracts -100 for nearly -200 495,000 acres -300 of Conservation Reserve Program -400 (CRP) land -500 Domestic Wells Public Supply Wells ADRIAN will expire if >10 (mg/L) >10 (mg/L) -600 (pop. 1,209): $3,300 cost for landowners do IN THOUSANDS ACRES 5 – 10 5 – 10 not re-enroll. -700 treatment per household to seal 3 – 5 3 – 5 -800 wells and build a treatment plant SOURCE: MNDNR 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 SOURCE: MDH & MGS

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 21 Goal #3: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Increase Living Cover

Voluntary Solutions OF MINNESOTA Best management practices Manage water using (BMPs) are agricultural practices One Watershed One Plan % HARVESTED ACRES WERE that protect the environment . 56 BMPs recommended for Minnesota has a long history RENTED IN 2012 of water management by local Minnesota farmers include government, including the seven- conservation practices county Twin Cities metropolitan One Plan approach identify local developed and approved by the area and the Red River Basin . water quality targets, pollutant U S. . Department of Agriculture’s Building on this history, the state reduction goals for downstream LAKE COMO Natural Resources Conservation is now moving toward managing waters and strategies to meet Service to prevent soil erosion the goals, such as increasing water based on watersheds rather and nutrient losses and by than political boundaries . Based living cover to filter runoff and Provide cost sharing for practices the University of Minnesota to on a legislative initiative led by prevent erosion, and restoring that promote living cover improve efficiency of nitrogen local governments and the Board forests in the watershed. Actions Many factors can make it hard of Soil and Water Resources, “One in the plans are measurable fertilizer applications. BMPs are to increase living cover on Watershed One Plan” will result and evaluated against 10-year designed to be economically agricultural lands . Some lands are in water management plans that milestones . The plans use viable and in many cases save used by renters, who typically are data driven and provide for existing management structures farmers money . Implementation require a shorter payback period public discussion of trade-offs and increase collaboration and costs for many BMPs are eligible than that provided by investments and shared goals . Plans generated cooperation across political for federal and state cost-share in living cover . And historically, through the One Watershed boundaries . structural (engineered) funding and loan programs . conservation practices such as BMPs are discussed in detail installing water and sediment One Watershed One Plan in “The Agricultural BMP control basins, terraces, and Handbook for Minnesota” (see Watershed Restoration and diversions have been eligible for Protection Strategies Clean Water Funds, state cost- Appendix), which is continually share funds or other financial updated with new knowledge State support, while nonstructural and research . They are vital for Plans conservation practices, such protecting Minnesota’s water Local as planting cover crops, using resources; however, in some Knowledge conservation tillage and rotating vulnerable areas, adoption of and crops, have not been eligible or Information BMPs will not provide sufficient have not been prioritized. Thanks improvement to meet water Local to recent changes to Minnesota quality goals without strategic Water Plans Statutes, chapter 103A, soil and use of living cover . Additionally, water conservation districts may living cover provides the greatest Total Maximum now help pay for nonstructural Daily Loads land management practices that opportunity to achieve large- increase living cover to control scale water quality improvement. erosion or improve water quality.

22 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Use living cover around Regulatory Solutions wellheads to prevent Implement Minnesota’s buffer groundwater contamination initiative It is critical to protect the area Minnesota’s 2015 buffer law around public and private wells designates an estimated 110,000 (the wellhead) from land use and acres of land to living cover . runoff that pollute drinking water. These “buffer strips” along The wellhead area can range from rivers, streams and ditches will several acres to hundreds of acres, filter out phosphorus, nitrogen depending on soils, geology and and sediment, protecting water hydrology . Of particular concern, quality. They will also help us in some parts of Minnesota, is make progress toward our the increasing contamination from nitrate, largely coming headwaters nutrient reduction MINNEHAHA CREEK goals. Because surface waters from row crop agriculture. The connect to lakes and groundwater, wellhead could be protected by the benefits will be broad and changes in producer practices SUCCESS STORY include protecting drinking that reduce nitrogen fertilizer use water, habitat and recreation and maintain or establish living Wellhead Protection opportunities. The law will require cover to filter runoff before it perennial vegetation, such as reaches well water. Minnesota’s Contaminants easily move from grasses, on up to 50 feet along Wellhead Protection Rule requires the land surface into shallow public waters and 16.5 feet along KANDIYOHI COUNTY public water suppliers to prepare sand and gravel aquifers that public ditches . The next step wellhead protection plans. provide drinking water to is implementation, which will On high-risk lands, protection Perham, a hub for business be led by local soil and water Models show that additional plans may include long-term and agriculture in Otter Tail conservation districts with conservation and easement County . In the late 1990s, city living cover will be needed wells approached the safe support from state agencies . to meet Mississippi programs, such as Reinvest in Minnesota and the Conservation drinking water threshold for River nitrogen reduction Reserve Program, that pay nitrate, so the city began to Harmful Blooms milestones aimed at reducing farmers to establish living cover . work on wellhead protection to harm to the Gulf of Mexico as For private wells, landowners are reduce nitrate contamination . Cyanobacteria, also known nutrients carried downstream Through citizen engagement as blue-green algae, can responsible for monitoring and spur algae growth and deplete remediating their drinking water. and education, the community proliferate in lakes when oxygen needed by marine life . To built momentum in 2005 to exposed to heat and excess reduce nitrogen approximately convert 285 acres of row crop phosphorus — a nutrient 20 percent by 2025, we’ll need agriculture on the wellhead area common in agricultural runoff. more than 1 million more acres to other uses with lower water They produce toxins that can of cover crops in concert with impacts . This change reduced sicken people, and they can several other conservation land nitrate levels to meet drinking kill pets, livestock and wildlife. use practices . water standards.

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 23 Goal #3: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Increase Living Cover

System Change The Des Moines, Iowa, Institute a fertilizer surcharge Dilemma to provide compensation for drinking water treatment where Nitrate contamination of Des contamination has occurred Moines’ drinking water sources — the Des Moines and Raccoon While strategic use of living cover in watershed management rivers — means the city needs can reduce groundwater expensive infrastructure to contamination, some wells make the water safe. Seeking are already contaminated . compensation for treatment Closing wells and treating costs, the Des Moines Water contaminated water supplies is Works sued counties that MDA extremely expensive, and the sponsor drainage districts individuals and communities contributing contaminated Enhance existing markets for paying the price often are not surface waters to the city’s Factors Driving Crop Choices perennial-fed beef and dairy those whose activities led to drinking water supply. that contamination . A nitrate products and bioenergy from Global Market Agriculture stormwater runoff is compensation fund could be perennial crops Federal Policy exempt from the federal Clean developed by the Minnesota State Policy Water Act. However, the Des Over the past few decades, Department of Agriculture to Crop Consultants Moines Water Works alleges market forces and federal and provide compensation to parties Landowner Choices affected by nonpoint sources that drainage ditch discharge state policies created strong of nitrate . The fund could come is a point source rather than incentives for Minnesota from a surcharge on sources of runoff and so must comply with farmers to grow row crops — particularly corn and soybeans . nitrate in groundwater, including the Clean Water Act and the The resulting loss of perennial commercial nitrogen fertilizer. National Pollution Discharge crops, conservation lands and Funds could be provided Elimination System . for drinking water treatment small grains reduced the ability systems or alternative sources of agricultural lands to keep to ensure that nitrate is below contaminants out of waterways the drinking water standard. This while increasing the need for surcharge strategy addresses In the Midwest, soils fertilizer and drainage systems. Statutes, chapter 41A, passed in past damages, and should be converted from natural to To encourage the addition of 2015, established incentives for paired with preventive land use agricultural systems have substantial acreages of perennials producing advanced biofuels, management to protect our and other living cover, public renewable chemicals and biomass drinking water supplies from lost 30–50% and private partnerships could thermal energy from perennial or future contamination . of their original create new or enhance existing markets for these products cover crops . Promoting Minnesota organic carbon. by differentiating them as as a source of grass-fed beef and environmentally responsible . dairy could also drive land use New sections of Minnesota toward perennial crops.

24 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Enhance Minnesota’s certification system for responsibly produced agricultural products Interconnected: Agriculture, Water Quality and Climate Change Many consumers and companies want to know that the products they purchase are produced Water Climate sustainably and do not degrade water quality. Likewise, producers who choose best management practices, especially if those practices come at a cost, want their products valued more highly for their environmental responsibility . Given the PLAINVIEW information, many consumers and companies choose to pay wood products. Similarly, the new more for U .S . Department of Minnesota Agricultural Water Agriculture organic–certified Quality Certification Program farm products and Forest certifies farmers when every Agriculture Stewardship Council–certified field and cropping system on a farm attains an environmental Anticipated increases in extreme heat, heavy downpours and flooding standard determined by a water in coming years threaten infrastructure, health, agriculture, forestry, air quality risk assessment. Certified and water quality, and more. In particular, agriculture could experience producers are considered to be more crop failures, shifts in geographic range of crops, reduced yields in compliance with water quality and other potential impacts . But agriculture is not only facing the regulations during the period consequences of a changing climate; as the third biggest emitter of certification, and receive of greenhouse gases, farming contributes to the problem as well. priority for technical and financial Some of the main sources of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions assistance . By establishing — fertilizer application and the loss of organic carbon through tillage industry standards for agricultural and erosion — also contribute to water degradation. The use of living practices and providing objective cover to hold carbon in the soil and to take up excess nutrients would third-party validation, this not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also improve water program creates a new option quality, air quality and crop productivity . for consumers. Now, consumers can choose products produced with practices that protect water quality, creating market forces Nitrogen fertilizer applications release that drive adoption of living cover nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, a and other best management practices that protect water greenhouse gas with 300 times the atmospheric FILLMORE COUNTY quality . warming potential of carbon dioxide.

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 25 Goal #3: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Increase Living Cover

How can we quantify soil cover cropping could help farmers conservation benefits to factor into their bottom line agriculture producers? benefits such as increased yield, increased water holding capacity, Farmers weigh the cost of land reduced erosion, increased management practices, including nutrient cycling and retention, conservation practices, against increased soil organic matter, and their bottom line . Practices that resilience to drought . reduce erosion and improve soil health, such as those that increase living cover, can provide yield SUCCESS STORY and financial benefits. However, farmers may not see the benefits Green Partnership for years. This lagging benefit is difficult to quantify, especially for The Forever Green Initiative, rented lands . A comprehensive led by the University of cost-benefit analysis of soil Minnesota, is an effort to conservation practices such as selectively add winter-annual and perennial crops to our agricultural landscapes and create new, more diverse crop Farmers rely on many production systems . Scientists resources for crop advice: working with the Forever soil and water conservation Green Initiative partner with businesses to explore end RICE COUNTY districts, University of Minnesota Extension and the local Natural uses for new crops. Business Resources Conservation Service . partners include companies is left on the field. While crop However, more and more often such as Estée Lauder, More Study Patagonia and General Mills . residue is not living cover, it does they are turning to private crop The initiative promotes new, What percent of Minnesota help protect soils from erosion . consultants . Crop consultants high-value commodity crops farmlands leave crop residue on The 2015 Clean Water Fund sell products and advise farmers to benefit the environment, the ground, and how does this appropriation includes funding on business decisions about for the Board of Water and Soil improve productivity and affect erosion? soil fertility, seed selection, pest Resources to collect data on increase profitability. and weed management, and We need data on adoption of tillage and erosion; estimate practices that protect water county, watershed and statewide new technologies. The state quality so we can track trends, soil erosion caused by water and other entities that promote prioritize government support, and wind; and track adoption of conservation practices need to and measure progress toward minimum-till or no-till farming. work with crop consultants to help goals and requirements . One Surveys will allows us to track them incorporate conservation practice of interest is minimum the status and progress of tillage practices into business decisions . tillage, in which crop residue practices and erosion trends . MINNAQUA

26 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report What influences private landowners to participate in watershed strategies to protect water resources?

ABOUT Comprehensive watershed management plans developed under One Watershed One Plan 75% will create management targets OF CROPLAND IN and goals for large areas that MINNESOTA IS include privately owned lands. CORN AND SOYBEANS . To meet watershed goals, we will need landowners to take action to protect and restore water resources. On farms, this could mean adoption of best management practices and the How do we economically use of perennials or cover crops; incorporate cover crops across on working forests, this could Minnesota production acres? mean protection of mature habitat; and on wellhead areas Row crop production leaves soils where drinking water supplies bare from fall until spring, making recharge, this could mean placing it easy for rain and snowmelt sensitive areas into conservation to wash soil and nutrients into programs . The success of nearby waters. Cover crops can watershed management not reduce both erosion and nutrient only requires sound biophysical loss . Models suggest that cover science and consistent crops can reduce by up to one- monitoring to provide data, but third the nitrogen, phosphorus it also requires uncovering and and sediment entering our addressing social barriers that waters. Research is needed to impede change . We need to improve cover crop technology; more strategically integrate social characterize nutrient, erosion and science to help us understand water retention impact; quantify what motivates landowners and economic costs and benefits; businesses to take voluntary and develop and improve cover actions, and how we work crop seed varieties suitable for together across watersheds and Minnesota . communities to protect shared water resources.

MINNESOTA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 27 Goal #4: Ensure Resilience to Extreme Rainfall

Ensure we are resilient to extreme rainfall Extreme rainfall has increased during the past century in Minnesota. This Tile drainage systems trend is expected to continue, increasing flooding and erosion, reducing route excess water that falls water quality, and affecting transportation, agriculture, human health onto a farm field into ditches and infrastructure. At the same time, flows in many Minnesota rivers and rivers . This protects crops and streams have increased, making some systems more vulnerable to that need the land drained flooding and contributing to ongoing erosion that affects ecosystems before crop damage occurs . and recreation. These increased flows result from both increased Water quality and flow rainfall and human land use. Historic wetland drainage and expansion of monitoring in rivers and streams artificial drainage networks on agricultural and urban lands contribute have shown increasingly to increased stream and river flows. While reversing climate change that erosive flows, flooding, and contributes to increased occurrence of extreme rainfall will take global contamination from excess action over decades, we should act to implement land use practices that sediment and nutrients related make us more resilient now. to engineered drainage . Tile systems are critical to Preserving the function of floodplains will protect inland areas. agricultural production, but Floodplains can be restored to their natural state or made into public could be improved to protect parks. We can manage our drainage systems to make streams and rivers crops while minimizing more resilient to heavy rains. And we can assess vulnerabilities of our potential water impacts. highways, homes and other infrastructure to improve their resilience to extreme rainfall and floods. ST. CLOUD

Increasing River Flows 20,000 Average annual flows in the Minnesota River near Jordan increased dramatically since the Increasing River Flows early 1900s due to increased precipitation and land use practices . Floods can harm human 15,000 health in many ways . They can contaminate drinking water with hazardous substances . 10,000 Flood-damaged homes can harbor mold and cause respiratory disease . As people 5,000 are displaced by floods, a

Average Annual Discharge (cfs) Annual Discharge Average cascade of disruptions occur that can interfere with access 0 to health care or affect mental 1971 1951 1991 2011 1975 1979 1935 1987 1955 1967 1947 1983 1939 1959 1963 1995 1943 2007 1999

2003 health . SOURCE: MPCA

28 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Minnesota Has Experienced Numerous Floods Number of flood disasters by county (1964–2014).

MOORHEAD: Insurance claims from floods of similar scale were more than $2 million in 1997 but less than $1 million in 2011, illustrating the benefits of buyouts and flood risk reduction projects.

AUSTIN: A city sales tax instituted to purchase flood-prone homes has yielded a return on investment of 265 percent and avoided $30 million in estimated damages .

In the past 15 years the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent nearly $266 million to repair flood damage Total Flood Declarations in Minnesota, while state 4 – 8 MONTEVIDEO: Buyouts had a 747 9 – 12 and local governments percent return on investment, saving 13 – 16 an estimated $8 million in damages have spent $84 million . 17 – 24 for an investment of $1 million.

JAY COOKE STATE PARK SOURCE: HSEM/DPS

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 29 Goal #4: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Ensure Resilience to Extreme Rainfall

Improve community resiliency Voluntary Solutions Flood hazard mitigation in the wake of the 1997 flood reduced and flood preparedness Reduce risks by removing the risk of future harm to homes in East Grand Forks. homes and businesses from Communities can build resilience floodplains to flooding by establishing ties with emergency assistance After floods, some property resources and cultivating owners may choose to have networks within the community their local government buy to provide support during and demolish their homes and East Grand Forks emergencies . Through the businesses. The government BEFORE MnWARN system, water, then returns the land to open wastewater and stormwater space. Return on investment for utilities damaged by natural or such buyouts is huge, including man-made disasters can get avoiding direct property damage, emergency assistance from other displacement costs, individual municipalities or the Minnesota assistance and infrastructure Rural Water Association in the costs, and indirect costs and form of personnel, equipment, suffering for communities and materials and associated services . individuals from repeated flood damage. Local governments can pursue funding from federally East Grand Forks funded, state-run programs and AFTER other grants. FROM 2010 TO 2014, THE MnWARN SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED 50 TIMES . HAZARD SUCCESS STORY MITIGATION East Grand Forks on the Red River is any action that Since 1997, there have been six floods in the Red River at the 50- eliminates or reduces year flood elevation or higher, with three near or exceeding the We can build resilience in future risk to human 100-year flood elevation. The private and public costs have been our communities through extremely high, and it has taken months, and in some cases years, life and property from neighborhood groups, local for life to return to normal. East Grand Forks completed many governments and emergency natural and human- buyouts and installed a flood barrier that can be put into place with responders. If we develop caused hazards . impending flooding. Residents filed more than $32 million in flood formal and informal connections insurance claims in 1997. Due to flood risk reduction efforts, they ahead of time, we will be better have filed less than $10,000 in flood insurance claims since then. prepared when disaster strikes.

30 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Put codes and standards in place Regulatory Solutions to best leverage federal disaster Require communities to have funds to rebuild the right way recovery plans Local governments may obtain A disconnect exists in many federal funding to restore places between county damaged infrastructure after emergency management a state or federal disaster is plans and community planning declared. However, federal processes . Counties are required disaster funds don’t incentivize to develop hazard mitigation rebuilding in a more resilient way plans to request federal grant — in fact, local governments can money. However, cities and be penalized for not rebuilding towns are not always part of this to pre-disaster conditions unless process and are not required state codes and standards dictate to have disaster plans . When otherwise. Minnesota already a disaster occurs, cities and requires construction projects towns apply for aid to rebuild, covering more than an acre to which is paid for with a cost have erosion control and ground share of 25 percent from the surface stabilization. Communities state and 75 percent from the can use federal disaster money federal government . Too often, to rebuild with those controls in infrastructure is rebuilt only to place, reducing runoff and making be destroyed in the next flood. them more resilient to floods. Requiring local governments Other codes and standards that to have plans in place or to could be put in place include: participate in county planning to receive the full cost share • Require use of best available from the state would ensure that updated rainfall data funds go toward key priorities (NOAA Atlas 14) to estimate that make our communities more infrastructure capacity for resilient and healthy for all . handling precipitation . • Require regional engineering best practices to address Floods can cause sewage repetitive damages, such as to bypass wastewater washout of undersized roads treatment facilities, leading and culverts . to the release of minimally treated or untreated wastewater . RUSHFORD FLOOD

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 31 Goal #4: Moving Beyond the Status Quo: Ensure Resilience to Extreme Rainfall

and protect water quality. Water plants and animals, and protect System Change can also be held on farmland water quality. Improve watershed resilience or other parts of watersheds Floodplains also have value for through watershed management, by restored or constructed farming and development, but as including agricultural drainage wetlands or constructed water we adapt them for human use, the systems storage ponds. On the scale of a ecosystem services they provide watershed, reservoirs can be built diminish or disappear . Extensive Drainage systems help maintain to collect and hold drainage. ideal soil moisture on farmlands filling of floodplains can cause and maintain the function of other In Minnesota there is a floodwater to move more quickly built environments. However, they lack of accountability for downstream, threatening property typically also carry sediment and comprehensively addressing and life . Removal of natural excess nutrients to waterways drainage systems as part of vegetation from floodplains can and can alter the hydrology of watershed management. To make nearby streams “flashier” local surface water systems. manage for a more resilient — more prone to rapid changes To maintain the benefits of landscape we could: in flow — and increase stream- drainage systems while better bank erosion . Straightening of protecting water and decreasing • establish river flow criteria that meandering waterways also vulnerabilities to extreme rainfall, will lead to less erosion and increases erosion and speeds we can manage these many transport of sediment near rivers stormwater flow while destroying valuable habitat . small systems as a holistic water • continue comprehensive system. On farmlands, water that watershed management that We can maintain or restore the would otherwise drain off the increases watershed resiliency natural functions and benefits of land could be stored in control to wet periods, while reducing these systems. Recognizing the structures at the field drainage downstream effects value of floodplains, some local outlets when excess water would ST. CROIX RIVER ordinances and watershed district increase stream and river flows • increase private investment in rules now incorporate standards too much. Addition of cover best management practices for Protect the natural functions of to protect them, such as: crops, buffers or perennials can storing water on the landscape. floodplains also reduce erosive stream flow • limiting impervious cover on the Flooding is a natural process that floodplain increases soil fertility, creates • prohibiting or limiting fill or We do not know the total amount of tile wetlands and fish spawning areas, requiring an equivalent area be enhances fish habitat and bank drainage added to our cropland soils . In set aside to store floodwater 1999, the Bois de Sioux Watershed District stability, maintains vegetation, and shapes habitat-enriching • maintaining or replanting approved permits for 2 .9 miles of subsurface channels, islands and backwaters. perennial vegetation along tile . In 2014, it signed off on 2,462 miles . Floodplains — low-lying areas stream banks In the intervening years, it permitted susceptible to natural flooding — store floodwaters and stormwater, • protecting the areas in which 13,179 miles of agricultural drain tile . provide valuable habitat for native streams naturally meander .

32 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report How can we best plan for rainfall • What is the likelihood of More Study and flooding? extreme precipitation? Until recently, engineers and How vulnerable are we to Recent extreme weather makes planners used precipitation extreme rain? it clear that existing statistical data estimates that had not methods and data are not Storm sewers help keep streets been updated since the 1960s. sufficient for future planning; and parking lots clear of water, The recently released Atlas 14 we need the most up-to-date but they also carry sediment and provides more relevant data that trends and projections of future pollution to nearby waterways. should be incorporated into all conditions in order to design When they back up, the projects in the state. resilient infrastructure, emergency resulting flooding can disrupt responses and land use . Questions transportation and commerce . To • Where have stream and river we should consider when we build: boost preparedness for extreme flows increased? We need to incorporate up-to-date flow weather, we need to create a • How will the climate change data for streams and rivers comprehensive storm sewer at watershed and local levels? to properly design bridges, database that allows us to identify Global-scale climate models culverts, storm sewers, ponds areas of concern that need don’t provide enough detail for and ditches. The U.S. Geological attention during extreme events . engineers and planners designing Survey makes high-quality flow local infrastructure . We need Similarly, as weather becomes data available, and engineers downscaled climate models more severe, we need to assess should incorporate these that will provide a level of detail and rank the vulnerability of roads, updates to include the latest 10 relevant for local planning . bridges and culverts around the RUSHFORD FLOOD years of flow data. state to storms and floods so we can prioritize efforts to reduce SUCCESS STORY risk . A Minnesota Department of Transportation pilot project Twin Cities Waterways recently tested a method for ranking the vulnerability Most of the lakes and of highway infrastructure to riverbanks in Minneapolis increased heavy rainfall and and St . Paul have been identified preferred adaptation incorporated into public options for three future climate parks, thanks to planning scenarios based on life-cycle cost. that started in the 1880s. Expanding this analysis would help In Minneapolis, record the state, cities, counties and tribal precipitation in 2014 led governments focus investment on to the highest lake levels the most vulnerable and critical in 130 years . Damage to infrastructure . structures and disruption of business was minimal because the flooding was 1883 Map of recommended Minneapolis Lake Hiawatha/Nokomis and golf course limited to parklands . park system area on June 20, 2014

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 33 Contaminants of Emerging Concern

We need to protect Pharmaceuticals . Lakes With Detections of Contaminants of Emerging drinking water and Medicines used to prevent and treat Concern (2012) ecosystems from illness in humans and 50% animals are designed to interact harmful levels of with our bodies. This can have Bisphenol A contaminants of unintended consequences for DEET 40% emerging concern. aquatic life in lakes and streams .

Evaluating and managing risk Household and Cocaine 30% Androstenedione Carbadox Amitriptyline in the face of uncertainty personal care products . Benzoylecgonine This category includes Individuals and industry household cleaners, use tens of thousands of laundry soaps, lotions, 20% chemicals in a vast array of body washes, cosmetics and products and applications, Caffeine

fragrances . Some personal care Triclosan including household cleaners, products contain microbeads, 4-Nonylphenols medications, lawn care which are difficult to clean out 10% Sulfathiazole Androsterone Testosterone Diphenhydramine Fluoxetine chemicals and personal care of wastewater. Progesterone Octylphenol Allyl Trenbolone Estrone products . Sometimes, chemicals we never suspected end up Chemicals used 0% in places we never expected, in manufactured SOURCE: MPCA including our lakes and rivers . products . These These “contaminants of include chemicals used New contaminants, evolving However, many chemicals can’t be emerging concern” (CECs) in plasticizers, coatings, science identified, monitored or evaluated are found across Minnesota dyes, fire retardants, building in the environment with existing in surface water, groundwater materials, textiles, electronics Scientists in Minnesota rely on knowledge and practice. As a result, and some sources of drinking and plastic containers . evidence-based practices to scientists investigate and develop water. Many CECs have not been identify, monitor and assess the alternative approaches to address potential risk of many emerging these contaminants . State agency evaluated for the risks they pose Pesticides, veterinary to the environment, plants and contaminants . This improves scientists use monitoring, exposure, and other animal care our understanding of the subtle toxicological and other data to decide animals, or human health . products . These undergo ways chemicals can affect the which contaminants require the testing and registration health of people and other most attention . Clean Water Fund to ensure they are safe . organisms. For example, we now dollars advance our ability to detect Emerging concerns, however, know that exposure to low levels contaminants at very low levels, have arisen around whether of some chemicals can interfere develop new risk assessment and buildup of these chemicals in with endocrine system function. screening methods, and investigate water impact aquatic ecosystems. ways to reduce CECs in wastewater.

34 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Locations Where Contaminants of Emerging Concern What can we do? Consumer action . Advocate Were Detected in Groundwater and Lakes for better information about The size of the symbol indicates the number of contaminants Most CECs do not enter our chemicals in products, buy environment through purposeful safer products, and properly detected each sampling location. (2012 & 2013) or negligent pollution — they use and dispose of products enter our environment when containing CECs . we use products that contain these chemicals . Businesses, Product bans or limitations . government agencies, legislative Since 2009, Minnesota has bodies, non-governmental required some CECs to be organizations and citizens can removed from products, prevent chemicals of concern including BPA from baby from getting into the environment bottles and children’s through: products, triclosan from antibacterial cleansers, and Green chemistry . Design products some flame retardants from and processes that minimize the children’s toys and household use of hazardous chemicals and furniture upholstery . reduce the negative impact of chemistry on the environment . Improved ingredient disclosure . Help consumers Voluntary or incentive-based make informed choices changes in industrial and retail about products by disclosing practices . Modify manufacturing potentially harmful chemicals, processes and products to use particularly for personal care Groundwater Detections less harmful chemicals, create less and children’s products . 0 – 2 waste and manage environmental releases . Environmentally preferable 2 – 6 purchasing . Use the 7+ purchasing power of Surface Water Detections governments and other large 0 – 2 organizations to stimulate market demand for products 2 – 6 and services that rely on 7+ fewer harmful chemicals and create less waste.

Improved premarket safety evaluation for chemicals . Support updated regulations to ensure the safety of a chemical before it is used in WASHINGTON COUNTY consumer products . SOURCE: MPCA

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 35 Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry

Bringing clean water to water technology industry is uniquely positioned to meet it . the world: Minnesota’s Minnesota’s includes Minnesota ranks in the top 10 states water technology industry water technology for patents and exports for services a variety of small and large companies that create or industry and products that increase water use provide products or services to improve the use, quality efficiency, support water reuse and and flow of water. Industry activity in the state includes Access to clean water is a global treat drinking water. This leadership manufacturing; research and development; management, concern. The need is growing for results from the synergy of sales and distribution of water-related products, water technology products and entrepreneurs, cutting-edge research components and services; and conservation, monitoring services to address environmental and development, a world-class and management of water resources . degradation as well as resource university system, and a significant constraints. Minnesota’s growing presence of industries in the state .

Types of Industries Products & Services Examples in Minnesota

Filtration/purification, Minnepura Technologies, launched disinfection, desalination, in 2014, uses bacteria-based Treatment aeration, contaminant biotechnology to purify contaminated Products & Services detection water. This technology is based on work by University of Minnesota researchers .

Pumps, pipes, tile IrriGreen manufactures landscape drainage, water & sewer irrigation systems that use digital Infrastructure line construction, technology to save water. Products & Services agricultural water management

Meters and controls, Water Meter Solutions manufactures Efficiency leak detection, water sensors to detect leaks in toilets conservation, energy and sends a wireless signal to a Products & Services efficiency, low-flow maintenance crew. fixtures

Water & wastewater Chisago Soil & Water Conservation treatment facilities, District is a local government that Public Water Utilities water quality monitoring, manages natural resources. stormwater management, watershed districts TONKA WATER

3638 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Water Technology and Innovation in Minnesota Water-Enabled Industries In addition to companies that create and sell water technology services and products, Minnesota has abundant water . This water Ecolab is a global leader in is part of what makes 3M offers technology that water, hygiene and energy Pentair designs and Minnesota competitive for allows utilities to insert a technologies and services . In manufactures advanced business . Water-intensive robotic spray head into a 2014, Ecolab partnered with technologies to help industries include agriculture, water transmission line and the Cold Spring, Minnesota, customers produce more fishing, manufacturing, food apply a liner that helps prevent plant of Gold’n Plump to food, energy and efficiencies production, microbrewing, corrosion and tuberculation implement an innovative from each drop of water. For mining and shipping . and seals cracks, pinholes poultry washing process that instance, since 2005, Pentair’s and pitting . The pipe can saved the company 68 million pool pumps alone have saved often be reinstated in a gallons of water. enough energy to power single day . This technology 548,000 homes for one year. has tremendous potential: The U .S . Environmental Protection Agency estimates U.S. municipalities will need to spend $247.5 billion over the next 15 years to fix deteriorating water pipes.

Dow Water & Process Solutions provides innovative technology-based solutions to a broad spectrum of water issues, including making seawater fit for human Over the past 59 years, Tonka consumption and reducing Water designed, manufactured and reclaiming water used in and installed more than industrial processing . 2,300 individually designed water treatment systems for municipalities across North America . Photo by Jeffrey Thompson / Minnesota Public Radio News. © 2013 Minnesota Public Radio. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 3M™ Scotchkote™ Pipe Renewal Liner 2400

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 37 Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry

Economic Impact of What do water tech businesses Wages look like? Workers in the water Minnesota’s Water Wage data is one way to • Minnesota has more than evaluate the potential for technology industry Industry 1,000 individual water industry growth to raise the tend to have science, business locations . living standards of hard-working engineering or Industry growth Minnesotans. Minnesota water facilities management • About 80 percent Minnesota’s water industry technology firms paid more backgrounds . Minnesota has a of Minnesota water employed 13,500 workers in the than $885 million in wages in particularly high concentration establishments have 10 or first quarter of 2014. Industry 2014, up 15 percent from 2004 of water treatment plant fewer employees. growth of 13 percent between 2004 (adjusted for inflation). Average operators, hydrologists and annual wages in the water filtering machine operators. and 2014 was three times faster • About 97 percent of industry were $65,500 These water-related occupations than overall state employment establishments have fewer in 2014, or 27 percent offer a variety of opportunities growth of 4 percent. than 50 employees . higher than the statewide for Minnesotans with all levels of • The remaining 3 percent are average annual wage of education. Several water-related large firms that comprise $51,600. As this industry occupations need only a high nearly half of the total water grows, it will open additional school diploma or associate industry employment . well paying jobs to Minnesotans. degree, while others require a bachelor’s degree or higher . A below-average concentration of engineers in Minnesota may indicate a workforce development Minnesota Water Industry and Total Employment opportunity in the state .

115 Average Annual Wages by Water Segment, Minnesota 2014 110 MN Water Industry Overall Employment (+13%) $120,000 $117,947

$100,000 105

$80,000 $71,791 $65,525 $61,076 100 $60,000 $49,060 $51,607

(100= 2004 value) $40,000 95 employment relative to 2004 to relative employment MN Overall Employment (+4%) $20,000

$0 90 Public Water Total MN Infrastructure Total Water Treatment Efficiency 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGES (Inflation Adjusted) (Inflation WAGES ANNUAL AVERAGE Utilities Economy Products & Industry Products & Products & Services Services Services SOURCE: DEED SOURCE: DEED

38 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Leading in Innovation Exports Eduction and research Minnesota’s public and private Innovation is crucial to meet Minnesota is one of the top colleges and universities play a demand for products that water-technology exporting critical role in training the next address global water challenges . states. With more than $870 million in international water- generation of industry workers. Patents related technology exports, These institutions, along with Minnesota ranked eighth private companies, drive water Minnesota universities and nationally and third in per capita technology innovation with cutting- companies develop new in exports in 2014 . Minnesota had edge research . technologies, processes and about $160 in water technology materials that allow industries exports per person in 2014, For example, The University of to operate more cleanly and behind only Texas and Delaware. Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, efficiently . Home to some of These exports add value to the and Innovation Economy the nation’s top researchers state’s economy and demonstrate (MnDRIVE) program funds research and inventive firms, the state the international strength of our in emerging industries, such as a ranked 10th in water technology water technology industry. project that’s working to develop patents and third in patents per ways to use organisms to clean up capita in 2014 . polluted water and collaborating with industry to apply this research to solve business and environmental problems. Major state investments augment research and development Water Technology Exports per Capita (2014) with programs such as the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Texas #1 Minnesota Resources and the Clean Water Fund . Minnesota U.S. PER CAPITA #3 RANK 2014 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH Illinois #7 Wisconsin #8

Michigan #9 Midwest RESEARCH IN ACTION: Average

United States In 2013, American Peat Technology signed an agreement with the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Ohio #12 Research Institute . Together, these partners are exploring new ways to use peat to remove pollutants from mine water . California #17

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Water Technology Exports per Person SOURCE: DEED

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 39 Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry

Minnesota Water Tech by the Numbers (2014) SOURCE: DEED

Water technology industry  Minnesota had more than employment grew three $870 million times faster than in water-related overall employment technology exports. in the previous decade.

Average annual wages in the water technology industry were 27% higher THAN THE STATE AVERAGE.

13,500 $885M 10th 3rd Water Industry Water-Related Nationally in Per Capita Employees Payroll Water Patents Water-Tech Exports MORA

40 Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report Connecting Minnesota’s Minnesota’s Emerging What is a Cluster? Water Cluster water cluster A cluster is a geographic The Minnesota Department of Minnesota has a strong core grouping of companies, research We Can Grow the Employment and Economic water industry that grew three institutions, public organizations, Minnesota Water Development and Minneapolis times faster than industry overall specialized talent and local assets Cluster by: Saint Paul Regional Economic in the state in the past decade . focused on a specific sector Development Partnership This growth is due in no small or type of enterprise . Clusters (Greater MSP), a planning part to the state’s position as can be a powerful mechanism • fostering partnerships organization committed headquarters for several of the for increasing productivity, to growing the regional • incubating new world’s leading water industry transferring and leveraging economy, host an annual Water technologies companies, as well as for life knowledge to foster innovation, Technology Business Summit . sciences, biotechnology, and sharing skills and experience to In 2014, the inaugural Summit food and agriculture businesses improve commercialization of • pursuing federal grants and private investment brought together 150 public and that place high demand on water products, and increasing market private sector leaders to talk products. In addition, water share . By encouraging clusters • creating a Minnesota about strategies for developing industry leaders are increasingly rather than focusing on individual water tech brand the industry . Efforts like these engaging with each other and firms, a region can increase its build the networks necessary for with public partners to explore competitiveness, drive innovation, a cluster to thrive . ways to grow the state’s water boost production of tradable industry . These dynamics indicate products and services, and create an emerging water cluster in new workforce opportunities. Minnesota. By growing Minnesota’s water cluster, the state can form public-private partnerships, drive Supporting Industries economic development and Complementary support local jobs. Industries Business Assistance & Financing Elements of Minnesota’s Policies/ Core Water Laws Companies water cluster Academic Industries

Natural Resources Supply Chain

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 41 How we use our land affects our water

LAKE SUPERIOR, HOVLAND More information Goal #2 Minnesota Department of Health. (2014). Metropolitan Council. (2015). Minnesota climate change vulnerability General Water resources policy plan. assessment. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Porter, P . A ,. Mitchell, R . B ,. & Moore, K . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota Department of Health. (2015). J. (2015). Reducing hypoxia in the Gulf Minnesota Department of Transportation . Minnesota climate and health profile report. St . of Mexico: Reimagining a more resilient (2013). Winter chemical catalog. Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . agricultural landscape in the Mississippi St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2013). River Watershed . Journal of Soil and Water Adapting to climate change in Minnesota: 2013 Conservation 70(3): 63A–68A. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2015). Draft Twin Cities metropolitan area chloride report of the Interagency Climate Adaptation Interagency Coordination Team. (2014). management plan. Team. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Clean Water Fund performance report. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . National Oceanic and Atmospheric St Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2015). Administration. (2014). NOAA atlas 14 point Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2014). Minnesota stormwater manual. precipitation frequency estimates: Minnesota. Minnesota’s clean water roadmap. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota Department of Public Safety St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2014). Goal #3 Management. (2014). Watershed achievements report. Sobota, D. J., Compton, J. E., McCrackin, Minnesota state hazard mitigation plan 2014. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . M. L., & Singh, S. (2015). Cost of reactive St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . nitrogen release from human activities to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2015). Contaminants of Emerging Concern Swimmable, fishable, fixable? environment in the United States . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Environ. Res. Lett. 10(2): 0250006. Friends of the Mississippi River & National Park Service. (2013). State of the river report. Water Water Resources Center. (2011). Minnesota Department of Agriculture. (2015). Minnesota quality and river health in the Metro Mississippi Minnesota nitrogen fertilizer management water sustainability framework. River. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . St . Paul, MN: Water Resources Center . plan. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota Department of Health. (2015). Minnesota Department of Agriculture. (2015). Goal #1 Minnesota drinking water 2015 annual report Water quality monitoring report . U S. . Environmental Protection Agency . for 2014. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . (2012). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency & Minnesota Department of Health. (2015). guidelines for water reuse. Washington, DC . Minnesota Department of Commerce. (2015). Contaminants of emerging concern website U.S. Department of Energy. (2014). Greenhouse gas emissions reduction biennial Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2013). The water-energy nexus: Challenges and report to the Minnesota Legislature. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, opportunities. Washington, DC . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . and endocrine active chemical monitoring Minnesota Department of Natural Resources . Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2014). in lakes and rivers: 2013. (2013). Draft groundwater strategic plan. The Minnesota nutrient reduction strategy. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Minnesota’s Water Technology Industry Metropolitan Council. (2015). Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2013). Porter, M. (2014). Harvard Business School. St . Paul, MN . Master water supply plan. Nitrogen in Minnesota surface waters. Reshaping regional economic development: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources . St Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Clusters and regional strategy. U S. . Cluster (2010). Evaluation of models and tools for Mapping Launch Event . Minneapolis, MN: assessing groundwater availability and Goal #4 University of Minnesota . sustainability. St . Paul, MN: State of Minnesota . Larson, L., & Plasencia, D. (2001). No adverse Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2014). impact: a new direction in floodplain Future Wastewater Infrastructure Needs and management policy . Natural Hazards Review Capital Costs. St . Paul, MN . 2(4), 167–81.

Beyond the Status Quo: 2015 EQB Water Policy Report 43 Printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper . The state of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and service provider . Upon request, this document can be made available in alternative formats by calling 651-259-7114 . 09-2015