2016.02.18 CC Minutes - NE Metro Water Summit

Home

Minutes for the NE Water Summit on February 18,2015 Page 3 of 4 Met Council Environmental Services Ali Elhassan gave an update on the USGS groundwater and surface water study, which started three years ago and is to give them a better understanding of lake levels versus groundwater. Field data has been collected. A model is being created to provide information to state agencies. Once the model is totally complete, they can run scenarios related to augmentation. Another study being done will identify the quantity of stormwater available in northeast Metro, as well as where are the best locations are for groundwater recharge. Twelve percent of the northeast Metro ground water is for industrial. Analysis of 100+industries showed that and 18 of them use 90% that, and they plan on targeting those industries. Elhassen also talked about the Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant program for water reuse and conservation. There were 19 applications and 19 grants given. Grants are typically used for appliance replacements to conserve water. It was noted that the City of Hugo received a grant for$50,000, and Winona and the Minnesota Zoo have also received grants. They are looking to provide more grant funds in the next year and hope it will be an annual grant. Rice Creek Watershed District Update Rice Creek Watershed District Administrator Phil Belfiori highlighted water reuse projects, including Oneka Ridge Golf Course project, St. Anthony Central Park reuse, and Centerville Lamotte Pond reuse system. He provided a multitude of benefits related to these types of projects. Belfiori talked about the Stormwater Reuse Irrigation Assessment Tool saying they were developing it using Legacy Funds. The tool should be completed by the end of this year. The end result will be a "Top 10" list for preliminary technical evaluation and available for use statewide. The District was also looking at the permitting process with reuse in mind and a stormwater urban remediation program cost share program with an emphasis on reuse. They are also looking for other ways to further incentive reuse programs and working on feasibility assessment collaboration with the Met Council so that what Met Council is doing can be leveraged by RCWD. Discussion on Formalizing a Coalition Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear talked about the benefits related to the I-35 W/E Coalition and asked if there was any interest in creating a similar group. Mayor Weidt requested that each City discuss the issue and come back to the next meeting with an opinion. Bear stated that Hugo will draft an agreement and email it to the all cities for consideration.