Metropolitan Council

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Metropolitan Council Master Water Supply Plan
March 11, 2009
Keith Buttleman Assistant General Manager,
Environmental Quality Assurance
Christopher Elvrum Manager, Water Supply
Planning
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Purpose

• Draft Master Water Supply Plan
• Public review comments
• Master Plan completion schedule

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Master Plan Conclusions

• Overall supplies are regionally adequate
• Some water supply issues will occur using
  traditional sources
• Options available to address potential issues
• Early identification of issues critical
• Ongoing assessment will guide sustainable water
  use choices

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Goal and Principles

• Goal Ensure a sustainable water supply for
  current and future generations.
• Principles
• Water supply integral component of planning
• Regional context for local decisions
• All hydrologic systems considered
• Water quality important
• Interjurisdictional cooperation viable option
• Cost-effectiveness considered
• Wise use critical

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Availability Analysis
Groundwater recharge
Population forecasts
Contamination
Water use
Conservation
Surface Water Evaluation
Climate
Land use
Aquifer analysis
Water Supply Availability Analysis Issue
Identification
METROPOLITAN AREA WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN
Ongoing Evaluation
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Metro Model 2

• 4,913 miles2
• Includes entire metro
• 9 layers

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Model Questions

• Are supplies available where we need them?
• Will pumping harm
• neighboring wells
• natural resources
• the aquifer
• How will climate and land use affect future
  availability?

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Scope and Assumptions

• Planning horizons 2030, 2050
• Municipal water use drives water demand growth
• Non-municipal demand included no change
  forecasted
• Current sources used for future demand whenever
  possible

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Water Supply Development Issues

• Significant decline in aquifers
• Well interference
• Impacts on surface waters
• Significant uncertainty regarding aquifer extent
  and productivity
• Groundwater contamination and vulnerability to
  contamination

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DRAFT
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DRAFT
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Reporting Results Community Water Supply
Profiles
Current and projected water use
Current Sources
Available Sources
Issues that need to be addressed
Potential impact to surface waters
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Issue Responses
Issue Potential impact to surface waters

• Threshold
• gt1m predicted decline in surficial aquifer by
  2030
• Response
• Develop resource protection thresholds
• Daily measurements at wells and resource

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Issue Responses

• Development of resource protection thresholds
• Increased monitoring and data collection
• Evaluation of supply alternatives
• Increased conservation
• Limit withdrawals

• - Use alternative source is an option

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DRAFT
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Components of the Plan

• Report
• Community Profiles
• Issue Responses
• Conservation Toolbox
• Water Supply Make-A-Map Application

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Master Plan Public Comments Period November 3
December 16th Public Meetings
1000am-Noon December 2, City of Woodbury City
Hall December 3, City of Savage, City
Hall December 4, City of Maple Grove Government
Center

• Email, US Mail, Voice Mail, Fax
• Mail Metropolitan Council Data Center, 390 N.
  Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101
• Fax [phone]
• Public Comment Line 651-602-1500
• Email data.center_at_metc.state.mn.us
• TTY 651-291-0904

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Public Commenters

• Public meetings
• 46 attendees from
• 10 cities and townships
• counties,
• DNR, MDH, EQB,
• consultants, non-profits
• Metro Cities (AMM), and
• Representative Paul Gardner
• 4 Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory
  Committee Members
• Letters/emails
• Total of 59 commenters

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Comments

• Metro Model 2
• Technical Analysis
• Integrating Water Supply with Comprehensive
  Planning
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Development of community Profiles and Issue
  Responses
• Implementing and Updating the Master Plan
• Surface water and Stormwater

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Model Recalibration

• Incorporate additional data
• More refined assessment
• Changes made to the community profiles

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Report Clarification

• Technical methods in more detail
• Water supply and comprehensive planning
  integration
• Plan provides guidance
• Response reasonableness
• Issue identification and screening methods
• Ongoing planning

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Master Water Supply Plan

• Result of an inclusive process
• Comprehensive assessment of long-term demand and
  supply availability
• Framework for basing planning and policy
  decisions

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Next Steps

• Second Draft Currently Available for Review
• Final Advisory Committee Review March 26
• DNR/Met Council Approval April/May