Agenda - Council - 05/26/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Aquifer water levels and groundwater -surface water relationships Aquifer levels are useful for providing information about groundwater flow directions, relationships between groundwater and surface water systems, and water levels near wells. Aquifer water level issues are closely related to issues like water quality, relationships between surface water and groundwater, and well interference. A regional evaluation of hydrogeologic conditions suggests that about half of the surface water features in the metropolitan area are likely to be directly connected to the regional groundwater flow system, highlighting opportunities for more integrated surface water and groundwater planning. Land use Land use is expected to change to reflect the changing population, economy, and community needs. Changes on the landscape, particularly in Drinking Water Supply Management Areas, can affect downstream drinking water sources and lead to increased treatment needs and public health risks. Regulatory considerations The regulatory complexity of water management in Minnesota has been identified as a key challenge by public water suppliers, communities and watersheds for decades. Examples include: • Missed opportunities to coordinate water -related plans to more efficiently use resources and achieve multiple benefits • Supplying, treating and distributing water to consumers in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards, water appropriation permits and the well code • Agency codes and permit requirements that may contradict one another such as source water protection guidance limiting stormwater infiltration or plumbing code that confuses reuse options • Minnesota rules preventing use of wells for injection to enhance recharge Reliability Approximately 50 communities in the metropolitan area use only one source (either groundwater or surface water) to supply all their water demands. Communities already use federal and state regulations and programs to identify and establish protocols for protecting the safety, security and reliability of their water supplies. However, there are still opportunities in some areas to improve the protection of water supplies as a priority for ensuring the reliability of water supply in the region. Managing water demand Water demand is the driving factor for water resource planning. Water demand is shaped by various socioeconomic and climate factors but planning and maintaining efficient systems are common goals. Analysis of historical and projected data on water use and population shows that decreasing the regional average total municipal water use to 90 gallons per person per day would accommodate 2040 population growth, with no regional increase in water use by municipal public water supply systems. Uncertainty Uncertainty is a constant factor. Several current questions remain unanswered, and other questions will inevitably emerge. Water supply planning must be done so that plans can adapt to factors such as climate changes, technology and emerging contaminants, and changing cultural priorities and attitudes. Climate change Mounting evidence shows that Minnesota's climate is changing, including in the metro area, and stakeholders have raised the following question: How might changes in precipitation patterns, longer growing seasons and increased risk of drought change the region's water demand, sustainable limits and quality of surface and groundwater supply sources, and the priorities set by decision -makers? Page - 13 I METROPOLITAN COUNCIL