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Water Quality Management

The Metropolitan Council's approach to water quality concerns relies on a watershed focus to control pollution from point (specific) and nonpoint (diffuse) sources, bringing together agencies and organizations in partnerships for collaborative planning and implementation.

Watersheds offer the best opportunities for dealing comprehensively with water quality issues, with a strong emphasis on management of nonpoint pollution sources. Watershed management includes two important principles; 1) watershed management seeks to preserve the environment, and 2) watershed management seeks to use the most cost-effective means to achieve this goal.

The Council and its Environmental Services Division (MCES) is involved in water resource and watershed management in several key roles.

 

Nonpoint Pollution and Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Research and study concerning the control and prevention of water pollution, nonpoint source pollution studies, BMP performance evaluation studies, BMP design guidance, and other information about controlling nonpoint source pollution.

 

Water Supply Planning

Short-term and long-term planning for existing and expected water use and supply, current water demand data, projected water demand, regional ground water modeling studies, and information on source water protection.

 

Watershed Planning

The MCES reviews and comments on the watershed plans prepared by watershed management organizations as well as water management prepared by local units of government. In addition, the MCES provides guidance and technical assistance to counties, cities, and towns on issues relating to water resources. Check out the watershed planning page for guidance on watershed planning as well as other useful watershed information and resources.

 

Documents

Watershed Management Reports offers one stop access to recently released reports.

 

Water Resources Management Policy Plan

See the Water Resources Management Policy Plan for more information about the Council's role in watershed management.

Lower Minnesota River Model

The Metropolitan Council led a cooperative effort to develop a water-quality model of the lower 40 miles of the Minnesota River. The Lower Minnesota River Model provides a tool for facility and watershed planning, load allocation studies, and water quality assessments.