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Southwest Metro Ground Water Work Group

During the early-mid 1990s the communities in the southwest metro area were facing difficulties obtaining regulatory approval for additional appropriation of ground water to supply their growing needs. The central issue was the potential impact of ground water withdrawals on sensitive surface water features in the southwest metro area, primarily the Savage Fen, Boiling Springs, and Eagle Creek. In 1997, the Southwest Metro Ground Water Work Group (SMGWG) was formed to address these issues. The Metropolitan Council has facilitated the Work Group since its inception.

The SMGWG has served as an informal forum for sharing of information and discussion of each community's development of plans for supplying water while protecting surface water features. Through the SMGWG, agreements between the DNR and water suppliers have been developed to deal with immediate water appropriation needs. Arrangements between the communities for sharing supplies on a limited basis have been reached and discussions on long-term cooperation continue.

A management plan was prepared in 2002 outlining the group's history, accomplishments, and needs for the future. Management Plan PDF, 748k.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed in 2003/2004 by the cities of Burnsville, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee, the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Credit River Township, Dakota and Scott counties, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Metropolitan Council. Through this agreement, the parties agree to continue planning together to supply the area with water while minimizing the impact to natural resources. It also seeks to establish a minimum set of water conservation and development standards that the communities will strive toward to reduce impact on the ground water resources in the area. Memorandum of Agreement PDF, 360k.