Master Water Supply Plan -- March 2010
The Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan is the culmination of efforts initiated by the 2005 Minnesota Legislature's charge to the Metropolitan Council to guide sustainable water use in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (Minnesota Statute 473.1565).
The Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee approved the Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan on February 25, 2010. The Metropolitan Council approved the plan on March 24, 2010. The plan was also approved by the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources as required by Minnesota Statute 473.1565 (approval letter).
The plan lays out an adaptive approach to water supply management guiding long-term water supply planning at the local and regional level. The plan describes the dynamic process for the collection of new information, update of analytical tools, and improvement of guidance to address anticipated water resource issues and ensure supplies are developed sustainably. The following are all components of the Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan.
1. Master Water Supply Plan Report: The Master Water Supply Plan report describes how the Master Plan was developed, what it includes, and how it will guide sustainable water use.
- Master Water Supply Plan (pdf, 1247KB)
- Appendix 1: Maps (pdf, 8481KB)
- Appendix 2: Community Profiles (pdf, 3435KB)
- Appendix 3 and 4: Appropriation Permit Guidance and Water Quality Guidance (pdf, 84KB)
- Appendix 5: Sub-regional Model Results (pdf, 47KB)
- Appendix 6: Public Comments (pdf, 116KB)
2. Make-a-Map: An interactive web application that provides users access to water supply GIS datasets and offers the ability to create maps. Data provided through this application come from the Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Minnesota Geologic Survey, Minnesota Geologic Survey, and metropolitan area communities and counties.
- Make-a-Map (web application)
3. Community Water Supply Profiles: A water supply Profile was developed for each metropolitan area community. Each Community's Profile lists water supply sources and options available to the community and outlines issues that need to be addressed to ensure the sources are developed sustainably. The Profiles are provided as an appendix of the Master Water Supply Plan Report and as a web application.
- Master Water Supply Plan Report: Appendix 2 Community (pdf, 3435KB)
- Topics: Water Supply (web application)
4. Water Supply Issue Responses: The Issue Responses Tables outline the issue identified in the community profiles and provide a set of responses intended to address each. The particular response a community implements depends on the severity or immediacy of the issue it is addressing. The responses outlined are intended to provide communities with a clear understanding of what is expected for future appropriations and when additional appropriation from a traditional source may become unacceptable.
- Master Water Supply Plan Report: Appendix 3 and 4 Appropriation Guidance and Water Quality Guidance(pdf, 84KB)
5. Water Conservation Toolbox: The water Conservation Toolbox provides information on water-conserving practices for customers and program ideas and tools, such as sample ordinances, for water suppliers. Information is selected on the basis of its appropriateness to the region's water use trends, development patterns, and climate. Links to the websites of reputable organizations lead the user deeper into subjects related to conservation and regulation.
- Water Conservation Toolbox (web page)
6. Twin Cities Metropolitan Groundwater Flow Model Version 2.00: Metro Model 2 is a numerical groundwater flow model designed to correlate region water supplies with current and projected demand, and thus to identify potential problems associated with using specific groundwater sources.
- Metro Model 2 (web page)