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METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Orel CI CLEAN WATER LAND & LEGACY AMENDMENT 2026 - 2028 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL WATER EFFICIENCY GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES updated 02 / 26 / 2026 1. Overview The Metropolitan Council (Met Council) will implement a Water Efficiency Grant Program (WEGP) effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities that operate or are served by a municipal public water supply system. In this program, municipalities design and operate their own rebate or grant programs, which are funded by the Met Council with pass -through funds from the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment. The Met Council will provide 80% of the program cost; the municipality must provide the remaining 20% of the program cost. The WEGP focuses on grant activities that reduce existing water use at residential, commercial, and municipal properties. Met Council -approved grant activities include the replacement of specific water - using devices with more efficient alternatives, irrigation system audits, and the conversion of turfgrass to low -input, drought -tolerant landscapes at municipal properties. Residents and businesses participating in a municipality's program must be connected to municipal water. Grants will be made available in amounts with a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $75,000. In the event that there are unused or returned funds, municipalities may apply for a grant amendment to increase their award beyond $75,000 (at the discretion of Met Council). Grantees will be required to submit quarterly reimbursement requests and provide actual or estimated water savings achieved through this program for Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment reporting purposes. Grant program goal The goal of the Water Efficiency Grant Program is to support technical and behavioral changes that improve municipal water use efficiency in the seven -county metropolitan area. Changes for 2026-202b Several changes to the WEGP have been made from past grant cycles. These changes are outlined in the bulleted list below. • Maximum grant amount: $50,000 4 $75,000 • Clearer guidelines for grant activity/device eligibility and property type o Faucets and faucet accessories added o Flushing urinals and flushometer-valve toilets added o Commercial clothes washers and commercial dishwashers added • Met Council strongly encourages (not a requirement) that an irrigation system audit be conducted before the replacement of an irrigation controller or spray sprinkler bodies. An irrigation system audit from an Irrigation Professional certified by a US EPA WaterSense