On behalf of the Metropolitan Council, Barr Engineering Company was contracted to assess the local water resources in the City of East Bethel area, where the city and Metropolitan Council are working closely to design a water reclamation and reuse facility intended to treat wastewater generated by future growth. This project evaluated plans for land use, water and sewers using a local groundwater flow model to identify potential risks to high-value water resources.
On behalf of the Metropolitan Council, Barr Engineering Company developed maps and supporting information to characterize the relationship between surface waters and groundwater, identifying surface waters most likely to be impacted by groundwater withdrawals in the region. This project also provided guidance on effective resource monitoring strategies and costs for each type of surface water feature.
In 2005, Metropolitan Council was directed to carry out regional water supply planning activities under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.1565. Working closely with the region's many water supply stakeholders and under the guidance of a metropolitan area water supply advisory committee, Metropolitan Council developed and adopted a metropolitan area master water supply plan (master plan) in 2010. The plan provides a framework for water supply planning and identifies actions needed to achieve the goal of ensuring sustainable water supplies across the region.
On behalf of the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Geological Survey evaluated the vulnerability of glacial aquifers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The project improved upon previous vulnerability assessments by incorporating a substantial amount of new aquifer property information and blending methods previously used by the Minnesota Departments of Health and Natural Resources. The result is a consistent vulnerability assessment across the metropolitan area based on the most up-to-date information available.
The Metropolitan Council is working with local partners to evaluate and address potential threats to the Seminary Fen, a calcareous wetland in southeastern Carver County. This rare and sensitive water feature, protected by Minnesota Statutes 103G.223, relies on the discharge of groundwater to sustain a unique and protected plant community. Growing communities near the fen also rely on groundwater for their water supply.
The goal of this project is to evaluate projected water demand, groundwater contamination and potential natural resource impacts in southern Washington County to ensure water supplies are developed sustainably. An important part of this project involves working with stakeholders to identify common goals and objectives, as well as ways to enhance coordination amongst water suppliers and water resource managers.
