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

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THE MET COUNCIL ROLE The Met Council collaborates with many partners to achieve outcomes as a planner 11� — not a regulator; not a supplier e „, The Council's regional water supply work ensures local water suppliers retain control of and responsibility for their water supply systems. Through our work with partners, we help to bolster the livability of the region, foster economic growth and prosperity, and alleviate competition and conflict over water supply. Since 2005, the Council has worked with our partners on many water supply projects and programs, focused in four key areas. COLLABORATION • Ideas and recommendations are shared in Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committees and subregional water supply work groups • Policy and plan updates are shaped by hundreds of people • Learning events build local capacity and expertise • Since 2005, more than 70 communities in the region have participated in subregional work groups, supported by the Council, to address localized water supply issues. Example: Northwest Metro Area Water Supply System Study Met Council partnered with Corcoran, Dayton, Ramsey, and Rogers on a study of the relative costs and implementation of four different approaches to a multi -community water supply system. TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS • New data and analyses improve understanding of regional water resource conditions • Subregional water supply groups identify and evaluate alternative water supply approaches • Local and regional partners cooperate to investigate factors impacting water demand management such as efficiency, rates/budget Example: Metro Model Guided by a multi -organizational technical advisory group, Met Council developed a regional groundwater flow model. The model helps address a broad range of regional and local planning questions and scenarios. We regularly update it with the best available data. The model has served, for example, as a starting point for local wellhead protection planning and groundwater modeling in the northeast metro groundwater management area. PLANNING AND POLICYMAKING • Metro area master water supply plan guides regional policies and implementation to meet diverse community needs • Local planning assistance programs and tools available to 188 municipalities in the region Example: Met Council's Climate Vulnerability Assessment The Climate Vulnerability Assessment is a tool that can assist regional and local planning efforts in preparing and adapting to climate change. The tool reveals system vulnerabilities to currently occurring and expected climate changes. Met Council added water supply content to the assessment to identify areas around wells that are most at risk of flooding and potential strategies to improve management in these areas. IMPLEMENTATION • $12 million of Clean Water Fund leveraged to support work • Technical assistance provided for local water efficiency and climate resiliency • Track and report progress Example: Water Efficiency Grant Program With Clean Water Fund support, the Met Council makes grants to local governments to promote water conservation and efficiency. Residents are offered rebates on WaterSense- labeled fixtures and appliances. 2015-2017: 19 communities, 52 million gallons water saved per year. 2019-2022: 40 communities, savings to be determined. M N Water partners come together to envision a future of sustainable water supply at Our Water, Our Future workshops v7 N Council convenes new Technical Advisory Committee to tap into local expertise and deepen partnerships for water supply planning; Master Water Supply Plan updated N. N Forum of all seven subregional water supply work groups c.4 N Lawn irrigation research and demonstrations; water efficiency grants to communities