Environmental Education

The Metropolitan Council participates in environmental education activities that focus primarily on improving water quality in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis / St. Paul) metropolitan area. Council staff participate in educational outreach to schools, organizations, and the general public, presenting information on the topics of wastewater treatment and collection, non-point source pollution in our rivers and lakes, groundwater and water supply. The Council works in partnership with other organizations to develop resources, programs and events that provide information on environmental topics to the region's residents.

Treatment Plant Tours

MCES provides public tours of several of its wastewater treatment plants. Students must be in the 7th grade or older to attend. For more information, please see Treatment Plant Tours page.

Science Museum Restrooms

The Council, in partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota, designed the restrooms in the Mississippi River Gallery to teach patrons about wastewater collection and treatment. A replica of a 10 foot wastewater collection pipe (see picture to the right) serves as the doorway to the restrooms; inside the bathroom, the people can learn where their wastewater goes and how it is treated.