Imagine the Future of Water
The Water Policy Plan is a policy plan within the Metropolitan Council’s Regional Development Guide. The aim of this plan is to guide the region towards a present and future where water is clean and plentiful, the benefits of water and water services are maximized and equitable, and risks and negative outcomes are eliminated or minimized. By ensuring water is sustainable, adaptable, and resilient from both an ecosystem and public health lens, the region positions itself to meet the evolving needs of current and future generations.
The 2050 Water policy plan, Regional Development Guide, and other system plans will use a shared structure and planning framework that has regional values, vision, and goals and system-specific objectives.
Following from the goals and objectives are the policies that will guide the regional actions of the plan.
See how the 2050 Water Policy Plan relates to the Met Council values
Click on each Met Council value below to see how it connects to the water plan.
The Water Policy Plan prioritizes equitable access to clean water and water services, especially for historically marginalized populations. Equitable water work involves initiatives such as investing in overburdened communities, addressing historical harms beyond mitigation, creating accessible information and communications, and including the diverse perspectives of community members in regional water planning and management decisions. The water plan is rooted in the Met Council’s Equity and Environmental Justice frameworks.
The Water Policy Plan encourages proactive approaches to water planning and management, such as promoting sustainable water use practices and conservation activities, implementing green infrastructure projects, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and fostering public and private partnerships to address water quality and quantity issues. Leadership in the context of water policy involves engaging diverse stakeholders to collaboratively address water challenges.
The Water Policy Plan will align with the Regional Development Guide to create metrics that our policies can be measured against. These metrics will measure progress and reveal successes and areas needing improvement. Regular monitoring and evaluation of water management practices will hold us accountable to our goals and help to identify and address disparities in access to water resources and services. Additionally, the plan will be adaptable to changing conditions, allowing for adjustments and revisions based on future conditions, feedback, and lessons learned from implementation.
Stewardship principles guide decisions about the sustainable use and management of water resources. This involves considering the long-term impacts of water policies and practices on both the environment and people. The plan prioritizes conservation efforts, such as promoting efficient water and energy use, resource recovery, and protecting natural habitats, while also addressing the impacts of climate change on water availability and quality.
By incorporating these core values into the Water Policy Plan, the Met Council can ensure that its approach to water management reflects the needs and priorities of the region, fosters inclusive decision-making processes, and promotes sustainable operations and development for the benefit of current and future generations.
Explore how water management strategies support regional goals
To align the Met Council’s Water Policy Plan with the regional goals, it is essential to integrate water management strategies that contribute to achieving each goal. Click below to read each regional goal and the corresponding water management strategies.
This regional goal is defined as:
Racial inequities and injustices experienced by historically marginalized communities have been eliminated; and all people feel welcome, included, and empowered.
The following are water strategies for this regional goal:
- Actively involve historically marginalized and overburdened communities in decision-making processes related to water management.
- Ensure equitable access to clean water services across the region, while specifically considering the needs and service for historically marginalized and overburdened communities.
- Investigate and support programs to address affordability and accessibility of water services, especially in underserved areas.
This goal is defined as:
All our region's residents live healthy and rewarding lives with a sense of dignity and wellbeing.
The following are water strategies for this regional goal:
- Operate the regional wastewater collection and treatment system to protect public and ecosystem health.
- Prioritize water quality management through monitoring, and information sharing to ensure safe drinking water and protection against waterborne diseases.
- Develop strategies to manage water-related hazards such as flooding and contamination to enhance community safety and resilience.
Read related policies & actions
This goal is defined as:
Our region meets the opportunities and challenges faced by our communities and economy including issues of choice, access, and affordability.
The following are water strategies for this regional goal:
- Incorporate sustainable water management practices to address challenges such as water scarcity and infrastructure resilience.
- Promote water conservation efforts to ensure water availability for future generations, considering issues of access, and affordability.
- Implement innovative, cost-effective solutions in water treatment to maximize the benefits from our drinking water supply and regional wastewater collection and treatment system.
This goal is defined as:
We have mitigated greenhouse gas emissions and have adapted to ensure our communities and systems are resilient to climate impacts.
The following are water strategies for this regional goal:
- Develop adaptation strategies to ensure water systems and infrastructure are resilient to climate impacts, such as changing precipitation patterns and extreme weather events.
- Implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water supply distribution and wastewater treatment and collection processes.
This goal is defined as:
We protect, integrate, and restore natural systems to protect habitat and ensure a high quality of life for the people of our region.
The following are water strategies for this regional goal:
- Prioritize the protection and restoration of natural water systems, such as wetlands and watersheds, to safeguard habitat and enhance ecosystem resilience.
- Incorporate green infrastructure practices into water management strategies to improve water quality and support biodiversity.
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Next: regional goals are supported by water plan objectives, policies, and actions
The 2050 Water Policy Plan (WPP) and other system plans include system-specific objectives based on the regional development guide's regional vision, values, and goals. Following from the goals and objectives are the policies that will guide regional actions of the parks and trails plan.
