2016.02.08 CC Packet Goal Setting

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General Government reliance on groundwater by switching municipal water systems from groundwater to surface water supplies will come with significant costs that could place excessive burdens on local resources. The outcomes and benefits of re -balancing the mix of groundwater and surface water use for specific municipalities and the region must be identifiable before any projects are undertaken. The sustainability of our water supply is an issue of regional and statewide significance and the expense of any necessary projects that benefit the region should not fall on individual cities. Any attempts to address water supply sustainability must also take into account all water users, including municipal water suppliers, industry, private wells, agriculture and contamination containment. The metropolitan region must consider the effects of groundwater use beyond the borders of the metropolitan area on the region's groundwater availability and the cost of treating contaminants in surface water that comes into the metropolitan area for use. Metro Cities supports the removal of barriers to wastewater re -use, improved inter- agency coordination, clarifying the appropriate roles of local, regional and state governments with respect to water, streamlining and consolidating permit approval processes and the availability of statewide resources to plan for and ensure the future sustainability of water supply in the metropolitan area. Metro Cities also encourages the Met Council to find ways to re -use wastewater and to develop other strategies as a means to improve conservation. Metro Cities supports state funding resources for costs associated with converting water supply from groundwater to surface water and funds to encourage and promote water conservation as a strategy to improve water sustainability and to improve and protect water quality. 18 2016 Legislative Policies