Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota
An interagency workgroup is developing recommendations for best practices and policies for water reuse in Minnesota. Recommendations will include both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to successful implementation of water reuse. The workgroup will evaluate current regulations, practices, and barriers, and quantify and determine acceptable health risks associated with water reuse applications. The University of Minnesota is collecting and analyzing field data for use in targeting Minnesota-specific risks. Stakeholders will be engaged to share perspectives on opportunities and barriers to reuse and provide guidance and feedback on policy and best practice recommendations.
Water reuse will be an increasingly important part of managing our water resources as demands on our water supplies continue to grow due to population increases, urbanization, climate change, and changes in water use. There are scattered examples of reclaiming municipal wastewater, stormwater, and graywater systems in Minnesota. However, those interested in reuse often run into regulatory roadblocks, technical challenges, or lacking and inconsistent regulations and standard practices.
The workgroup is comprised of representatives from Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, Labor and Industry, and Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Metropolitan Council, Plumbing Board, University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, and Board of Water and Soil Resources. The University of Minnesota is a research partner.
$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are to create a road map for water reuse implementation in Minnesota and to address research gaps by studying Minnesota water reuse systems.
$175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are to prepare a comprehensive study of and recommendations for regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to water reuse for use in the development of state policy for water reuse in Minnesota.
A report to include recommendations for practices and policy for water reuse in Minnesota is scheduled for completion in June, 2017.
$175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are to prepare a comprehensive study of and recommendations for regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to water reuse for use in the development of state policy for water reuse in Minnesota.
A report to include recommendations for practices and policy for water reuse in Minnesota is scheduled for completion in June, 2017.