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Water supply: Council report recommends clarity, connection

Communities made the case and the verdict is in: Make the water supply planning and decision-making processes simpler, and link them to comprehensive planning. That’s what the Metropolitan Council recommends to the Minnesota Legislature in its new report on water supply planning in the Twin Cities area.

In December the Council approved the report, the result of the first phase of a collaborative, multi-year study of water supply issues in the seven-county region. In the next phase, the Council and its partners will develop a regional master water supply plan that will assess water availability and water demand projections based on regional forecasts. The plan will identify options for areas with potential supply limitations.

Problems with the current process

As communities grow, they need more water to serve the growing population. Each city evaluates its needs and develops plans independently, and the actions of one community can impact the water supply in an adjacent community unexpectedly. Currently the base of information about regional water supply is inadequate to evaluate the potential impacts.

“One thing we heard consistently from stakeholders is that water supply should be evaluated prior to growth,” said Bill Moore, general manager of the Council’s Environmental Services division.

Moore also noted that communities reported confusing multiple state requirements for preparing local water supply plans. Communities develop one water plan to meet two separate requirements: a water supply plan for review by the Council and a water conservation/emergency plan for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The requirements are spelled out in two separate statutes.

In addition, under the existing approval process, a community typically seeks a permit for water appropriation after they have built a well. Only then does the DNR analyze the potential impact of the withdrawal. If there are potential problems, delay is the result.  

Report identifies solutions

The Council’s report identifies solutions to each of these problems. It recommends that:

1. After the Council develops the regional master water supply plan, the DNR review and approve it.  
2. The requirements for community water supply planning be consolidated into one statute.
3. Communities be required to analyze water supply needs for consistency with the regional master water supply plan.
4. The water supply planning and well-permitting process be streamlined.

If adopted by the Legislature, the recommendations would have several positive results. Because the DNR serves as the water appropriating agency and will have approved the regional master water supply plan, a community’s approved water supply plan would serve as the basis for future water appropriations. Communities would understand requirements they would have to meet prior to growth.

Creating back-up supply systems for safety

Stakeholders also told the Council that having alternative supplies during system failures or conditions that limit access to water supplies is important. To address that concern for much of the region’s population, the report endorses the use of state funds to establish an inter-connection linking the Minneapolis Water Works and St. Paul Regional Water Services.

The Council’s report is the result of a year-long process conducted in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the Council and other state agencies that regulate water — the DNR, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency, as well as stakeholder representatives from cities and counties.

“I believe this report is very accurate,” said Tom Furlong, mayor of Chanhassen and member of the advisory committee. “We have an abundant supply of water for the region, but there are some issues that we want to address for the long term, to be responsible.”

“The water supply report is an example of the Council at its best,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “This kind of partnering effort, working collaboratively with other agencies and communities, is the best way to assure success as the region faces the challenges linked to projected population growth.”

Next steps for water supply planning

In the next phase of work, the Council and the advisory committee plan several activities, according to Chris Elvrum, the Council’s manager of water supply planning. He and the committee plan to work closely with several technical advisory groups to conduct detailed resource analyses and examine Mississippi River water supply issues, including drought and spill response planning. These activities will feed into development of the regional master water supply plan.

The Council will also develop a water conservation “toolbox” to assist communities with resources and information. Lead developer Sara Bertelsen, who worked with the water supply project, said she looks forward to working with utility and community representatives to design the new web-based tool.

“We learned a great deal when we met with stakeholders,” said Bertelsen, “and will continue to seek their comments as we continue.” Furlong said the toolbox demonstrates an important advisory committee value. “We’ve recognized there can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach to water conservation — local communities can look at alternatives and decide how best to meet their needs.”

The Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee met monthly throughout 2006. Its next meeting will be held at the Metropolitan Council administrative building, 390 Robert Street North, St. Paul, at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 1.