Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) is one of three Metropolitan Council divisions. The division collects and treats wastewater at its eight regional treatment plants. It also develops plans to preserve and manage the region's water resources.

The division provides these services in ways that support the Council's regional growth strategy and protect public health and the environment.

Environmental Services conducts region-wide surface and groundwater planning and non-point source pollution abatement (the pollution that comes from urban runoff, etc, but not from a pipe). The division also conducts industrial wastewater management, and air and water quality monitoring and reporting.

The division manages water resources in compliance with all regulatory requirements and in ways that help ensure environmental sustainability.

Environmental Services helps keep the region's rivers and lakes clean. Its treatment plants process 300 million gallons of wastewater every day from more than two million residents. Some 550 miles of large sewer pipes collect wastewater from 104 communities.

The performance of the wastewater treatment plants shows results. Water quality in the region's rivers--where the treated wastewater is discharged--is improving. Area rivers support a diversity of aquatic life and the waters are once again suitable for boating, fishing and, in certain areas, swimming.