| Committee/Agency Jurisdiction:
|
Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Environment and Natural Resources Policy
|
| Note:
|
The Metropolitan Council must establish a work group consisting of the commissioners of natural resources, health, and the Pollution Control Agency or their designees and representatives from the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee; the St. Paul Regional Water Services; the cities of Stillwater, Mahtomedi, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lino Lakes, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Vadnais Heights, Shoreview, Woodbury, New Brighton, North Oaks, and White Bear Lake; and the town of White Bear to advise the council in developing the comprehensive plan.
The comprehensive plan must:
(1) evaluate methods for conserving and recharging groundwater in the area, including: (i) converting water supplies that are groundwater dependent to total or partial supplies from surface water sources; (ii) reusing water, including water discharged from contaminated wells; (iii) projects designed to increase groundwater recharge; and (iv) other methods for reducing groundwater use;
(2) based on the evaluation conducted under clause (1), determine which existing groundwater supply wells, if converted to surface water sources, would be most effective and efficient in ensuring future water sustainability in the area;
(3) identify a long-term plan for converting groundwater supply wells identified in clause (2) to surface water sources, including recommendations on water supply governance and concept-level engineering that addresses preliminary design considerations, including supply source, treatment, distribution, operation, and financing needed to complete any changes to water supply infrastructure;
(4) include any policy and funding recommendations for converting groundwater supply wells to surface water sources, recommendations for treating and reusing wastewater, and any other recommendations for additional measures that reduce groundwater use, promote water reuse, and increase groundwater recharge;
(5) include any policy and funding recommendations for local wastewater treatment and recharge
|