WATER SUPPLY PLANNING IN THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA (2005-2020) Findings, recommendations and continuing planning activities September 2020 The Council’s mission is to foster efficient and economic growth for a prosperous metropolitan region Metropolitan Council Members Charles Zelle Chair Raymond Zeran District 9 Judy Johnson District 1 Peter Lindstrom District 10 Reva Chamblis District 2 Susan Vento District 11 Christopher Ferguson District 3 Francisco J. Gonzalez District 12 Deb Barber District 4 Chai Lee District 13 Molly Cummings District 5 Kris Fredson District 14 Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson District 6 Phillip Sterner District 15 Robert Lilligren District 7 Wendy Wulff District 16 Abdirahman Muse District 8 The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council operates the regional bus and rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans and helps fund regional parks, and administers federal funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The 17-member Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor. On request, this publication will be made available in alternative formats to people with disabilities. Call Metropolitan Council information at 651-602-1140 or TTY 651-291-0904. Table of contents Twin cities metropolitan area water supply at a glance .......................................................................... 5 Water supply sources, demand, and infrastructure ............................................................................. 5 Metropolitan Council has a unique role as a planning agency, not a regulator or utility ...................... 7 Metro Area Water Supply Policy and Technical Advisory Committees shape the work ....................... 8 Regional water supply work is based on shared principles .................................................................... 9 Collaboration sets direction and drives results ....................................................................................... 9 Technical investigations provide a foundation for planning and implementation ................................... 11 Regional planning and local planning assistance provide a framework for coordinated work ............... 14 Implementation is guided by a shared vision of sustainability............................................................... 15 Outcomes: the water supply picture in 2005 versus 2020 .................................................................... 17 Future work .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Highlights: What success looks like ..................................................................................................... 18 Funding Highlight: Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant Program ........................................ 20 Funding Highlight: Twin Cities Regional Water Billing Analysis ........................................................ 21 Collaboration Highlight: Northwest Metro Area Water Supply System Study .................................... 22 Technical Investigations Highlight: Metro Model ............................................................................... 23 Planning Highlight: Climate Vulnerability Assessment – Water Supply ............................................. 24 Implementation Highlight: MnTAP Water Efficiency Intern Program ................................................. 25 Implementation Highlight: Rainwater Harvesting & Reuse Demonstration Project at CHS Field ....... 26 Implementation Highlight: Exploring Impacts of Infiltrating Reclaimed Water on Groundwater and Surface Water in the Southeast Metro .............................................................................................. 27 Appendix.............................................................................................................................................. 28 Commonly used acronyms & abbreviations ...................................................................................... 28 History of Metro Area Water Supply Policy and Technical Advisory Committee membership ........... 29 History of collaboration ..................................................................................................................... 32 History of technical investigations ..................................................................................................... 34 History of planning ............................................................................................................................ 36 History of implementation ................................................................................................................. 37 History of legislative recommendations ............................................................................................ 38 Bibliography of Metropolitan Council Water Supply Projects 2005-2020 .............................................. 40 Page - 3 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL About this report The Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area is home to over half of Minnesota’s population (3 million). Securing residents’ safe and plentiful water – while protecting the region’s diverse water resources – requires coordinated, interdisciplinary and ongoing effort. Although the seven-county region is relatively water-rich, the region’s steady population growth, increased groundwater pumping, changing land use, and variable weather and climate is challenging some communities’ ability to meet current and future demand. This report summarizes findings, recommendations, and continuing planning activities that address the water supply needs of the metropolitan area. It also documents work done since 2005 by Metropolitan Council (Council), with the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Policy (MAWSAC) and Technical Advisory Committees (TAC), and other partners, to fulfill the requirement of Minnesota Statutes 473.1565. Activities include: 1) Support for collaboration 2) Development and maintenance of a base of technical information including: a) Surface and groundwater availability analyses b) Water demand projections c) Water withdrawal and use impact analyses d) Modeling e) Similar studies 3) Development and periodic update of a Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan (Master Plan) that: a) Provides guidance for local water supply systems and future regional investments b) Emphasizes conservation, interjurisdictional cooperation, and long-term sustainability c) Addresses the reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness of the metropolitan area water supply and its local and subregional components 4) Recommendations: a) Clarify the appropriate roles and responsibilities of local, regional, and state government in metropolitan area water supply b) Streamline and consolidate metropolitan area water supply decision-making and approval processes c) Fund ongoing and long-term metropolitan area water supply planning activities and capital investments The Council considers the work and recommendations of the policy and technical advisory committees as the Council prepares regional development framework updates. Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund supports two Metropolitan Council programs that increase communities’ implementation of projects to help achieve sustainable water supplies. Page - 4 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Twin cities metropolitan area water supply at a glance Water supply sources, demand, and infrastructure Twin Cities metropolitan area water supply sources include four extensive underground layers of rock, gravel and sand (aquifers) which hold and transport billions of gallons of water for over two million people; the Mississippi River which supplies huge volumes of water for commercial, industrial and residential uses; and treated stormwater and wastewater could potentially provide water for non- drinkable uses such as cooling or irrigation. A variety of factors must be considered when using any of these sources. Water supply source considerations include: • Access to the source – not all sources are equally available or productive across the region • Seasonal variability of the supply – stormwater is not available in the winter • Recharge rates – some aquifers replenish more quickly than others • Nearby competing demands • Vulnerability to contamination and/or existing natural or manmade contamination (examples: nitrate, PFAS, TCE, arsenic, radium, chloride) • Regulated withdrawal limits and treatment requirements to protect public and environmental health • Funding challenges Figure 1. Water supply sources of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Page - 5 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL The Twin Cities metropolitan area water supply environment is large and complex. Figure 2 highlights some of the key factors shaping the Council’s and partners’ approach to water supply planning. Figure 2. Selected information about water supply conditions in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Page - 6 | METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Metropolitan Council has a unique role as a planning agency, not a regulator or utility Bringing the many different and changing facets of water supply together into a regional picture outside the scope of any one LOCAL PERSPECTIVES community to do, yet it is necessary to adequately plan for the SHAPE region’s growth and economic development. The Metropolitan REGIONAL PLANNING Council, as the regional