Anoka County residents and businesses get their water from wells that draw from groundwater aquifers located directly below us.  As Anoka County grows, so does our need for water. Is there enough groundwater?

On January 2, 2014 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had established the North & East Metro Pilot Groundwater Management Area “working boundary” that included Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Fridley, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Spring Lake Park in Anoka County.

On March 7th, the DNR added three communities (Columbia Heights, Hilltop and Minneapolis – east of the Mississippi River) into the North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area. The additional communities are located within, and connected to, the natural groundwater unit that is bordered by the Mississippi River on the west and south. 

Currently the DNR is working with communities and businesses within the North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area to prepare and implement a groundwater sustainability plan that will:

• Improve information about area groundwater resources;
• Reinforce partnerships for sustainable groundwater use;
• Improve compliance with existing groundwater regulations; and
• Assure a sustainable groundwater supply for future generations.

To illustrate the importance of our groundwater resources the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a video Living on the Edge: Our Water Supply at Risk. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Consider home and business water conservation options that are provided on the WaterSense website (USEPA) or on the Water Conservation Toolbox webpage (Metropolitan Council).  Combined, our conservation efforts will add up.