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Locol Water Supply Plon Template July 8, 2016 <br /> DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES - DIVISION OF ECOLOGICAL AND <br /> WATER RESOURCES AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL <br /> INTRODUCTION TO WATER SUPPLY PLANS (WSP) <br /> Who needs to complete a Water Supply Plan <br /> Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people, large private water suppliers in <br /> designated Groundwater Management Areas, and all water suppliers in the Twin Cities <br /> metropolitan area are required to prepare and submit a water supply plan. <br /> The goal of the WSP is to help water suppliers: 1) implement long term water sustainability and <br /> conservation measures; and 2) develop critical emergency preparedness measures. Your <br /> community needs to know what measures will be implemented in case of a water crisis. A lot of <br /> emergencies can be avoided or mitigated if long term sustainability measures are implemented. <br /> Groundwater Management Areas (GWMA) <br /> The DNR has designated three areas of the state as Groundwater Management Areas (GWMAs) <br /> to focus groundwater management efforts in specific geographies where there is an added risk <br /> of overuse or water quality degradation. A plan directing the DNRs actions within each GWMA <br /> has been prepared. Although there are no specific additional requirements with respect to the <br /> water supply planning for communities within designated GWMAs, communities should be <br /> aware of the issues and actions planned if they are within the boundary of one of the GWMAs. <br /> The three GWMAs are the North and East Metro GWMA (Twin Cities Metro), the Bonanza <br /> Valley GWMA and the Straight River GWMA (near Park Rapids). Additional information and <br /> maps are included in the DNR webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html <br /> Benefits of completing a WSP <br /> Completing a WSP using this template, fulfills a water supplier's statutory obligations under <br /> M.S. M.S.103G.291 to complete a water supply plan. For water suppliers in the metropolitan <br /> area, the WSP will help local governmental units to fulfill their requirements under M.S. <br /> 473.859 to complete a local comprehensive plan. Additional benefits of completing WSP <br /> template: <br /> • The standardized format allows for quicker and easier review and approval. <br /> • Help water suppliers prepare for droughts and water emergencies. <br /> • Create eligibility for funding requests to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) <br /> for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. <br /> • Allow water suppliers to submit requests for new wells or expanded capacity of <br /> existing wells. <br /> • Simplify the development of county comprehensive water plans and watershed plans. <br /> 6 <br />