MAP: Metro’s Water Reserves are Being Depleted but Northfield's Not to Blame

The Metropolitan Council is warning about the increasing use of groundwater across the metro.

Until the late 1970s, the seven-county region relied primarily on the Mississippi River for its water needs. But today, about 70 percent of the metro relies on municipal and private wells that pump groundwater.

“Aquifers are being depleted; lakes, streams, and wetlands are being damaged; and in some areas, groundwater levels have declined by as much as 40 feet, roughly one foot each year, since the 1970s,” said Keith Buttleman, assistant general manager of the Council’s Environmental Services division, according to a news release.

In Northfield, private wells are expected to meet demand until 2050. The Met Council has identified two local aquifers, Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Franconia-Ironton-Galesville, as possible future water supply sources for Northfield. The city is currently permitted to withdraw 980 million gallons per year.

The overall trend doesn’t have to continue, the Met Council contends. Its models show that the drain on aquifers would slow, and in some cases reverse, if 24 of the cities close to Minneapolis and St. Paul started getting their water from the central cities, which rely on river water and have plenty of extra capacity.

As it stands now, just 16 of the region’s 186 communities rely on the Mississippi.

The table above shows projected 2020 average daily water use per person in Twin Cities communities, according to the Met Council.

The colors mean:

• Green: Projection not provided (mostly townships)
• Pink: 73 to 98 gallons per day
• Purple: 98 to 123 gallons per day
• Blue: 123 to 148 gallons per day
• Yellow: 148 to 173 gallons per day
• Orange: 173 to 198 gallons per day
• Red: More than 198 gallons per day