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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES — DIVISION OF ECOLOGICAL AND WATER RESOURCES AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL INTRODUCTION TO WATER SUPPLY PLANS (WSP) Who needs to complete a Water Supply Plan Public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people, and large private water suppliers in designated Groundwater Management Areas, and all water suppliers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, are required to prepare and submit a water supply plan. The goal of the WSP is to help water suppliers: 1) implement long term water sustainability and conservation measures; and 2) develop critical emergency preparedness measures.Your community needs to know what measures will be implemented in case of a water crisis.A lot of emergencies can be avoided or mitigated if long term sustainability measures are implemented. Groundwater Management Areas (GWMA) The DNR has designated three areas of the state as Groundwater Management Areas (GWMAs)to focus groundwater management efforts in specific geographies where there is an added risk of overuse or water quality degradation. A plan directing the DNRs actions within each GWMA has been prepared. Although there are no specific additional requirements with respect to the water supply planning for communities within designated GWMAs, communities should be aware of the issues and actions planned if they are within the boundary of one of the GWMAs. The three GWMAs are the North and East Metro GWMA(Twin Cities Metro),the Bonanza Valley GWMA and the Straight River GWMA(near Park Rapids). Additional information and maps are included in the DNR webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gwmp/areas.html Benefits of completing a WSP Completing a WSP using this template,fulfills a water supplier's statutory obligations under M.S. M.S.103G.291 to complete a water supply plan. For water suppliers in the metropolitan area,the WSP will help local governmental units to fulfill their requirements under M.S. 473.859 to complete a local comprehensive plan. Additional benefits of completing WSP template: • The standardized format allows for quicker and easier review and approval • Help water suppliers prepare for droughts and water emergencies. • Create eligibility for funding requests to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund. • Allow water suppliers to submit requests for new wells or expanded capacity of existing wells. • Simplify the development of county comprehensive water plans and watershed plans. • Fulfill the contingency plan provisions required in the MDH wellhead protection and surface water protection plans. 6 46