An official website of the Regional Development Guide Connection to Water
The Met Council’s Water Policy Plan is contained within the regional development guide, Imagine 2050. Water connects us and links the frameworks that guide land use, infrastructure development, environmental protection, transportation planning, and economic development. The guide shapes the Met Council’s values and objectives, and therefore the Twin Cities region. Coordination and alignment between regional and local planning processes are essential for sustainable regional development that preserves and enhances water and water services now and into the future.
Imagine 2050 has the following vision statement: “A prosperous, equitable, and resilient region with abundant opportunities for all to live, work, play, and thrive.” By prioritizing water planning and coordination, regional development initiatives can contribute to building healthier and more resilient communities.
Water Policy Plan alignment to Met Council values
The 2050 Water Policy Plan aligns with the regional development guide and the core Met Council values of equity, leadership, accountability, and stewardship. Each core value can be connected to the water plan as follows:
- Equity: 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.
- Leadership: 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.
- Accountability: 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: 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.
Water Policy Plan alignment to 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 objective. The regional goals and water management strategies are outlined below.
Our region is equitable and inclusive
- 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.
Our communities are healthy and safe
- 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.
Our region is dynamic and resilient
- 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.
- Facilitate collaboration between communities and water agencies to understand the sustainable limits of groundwater and surface water sources to meet future demands within subregions of the metro area.
We lead on addressing climate change
- 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.
We protect and restore natural systems
- 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.
By integrating these strategies into the Water Policy Plan, the Met Council can contribute to creating a more equitable, healthy, dynamic, and resilient region while leading efforts to address climate change and protect natural systems. This holistic approach ensures that water management aligns with the overarching goals endorsed by the Met Council, fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life for all residents.
The Water Policy Plan and the regional development guide share a common vision of sustainable development, underpinned by values of environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic vibrance. Their goals intersect in promoting responsible land use practices, protecting water resources, and enhancing community resilience. By recognizing the diverse values of water and its importance for ecosystem, economic, community, and individual well-being, this plan can guide coordinated action towards a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.
