In This Issue:
- Meeting on New Water Efficiency Grant Program
- EVENT: MCES Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours
- Third and Final Round of Policy Committees will Meet the Week of September 9
Meeting on New Water Efficiency Grant Program
Metro Cities hosted an informational meeting on the Metropolitan Council’s Water Efficiency Grant Program for Metropolitan Council staff to provide information to city officials and staff on the new program. Metropolitan Council staff provided an overview of the grant program and were available to answer applicant questions.
Grants are for up to $50,000 to municipal water suppliers to help increase water efficiency, with the funding to be used for rebates to residents who replace inefficient water-using devices with devices that use substantially less water, or for irrigation system audits. $750,000 is available through June 2022. The 2019 Legislature designated the monies from the Clean Water Fund.
Grants will range from $2,000 to $50,000 to municipalities and are intended to lower the costs for residents to purchase and install products that reduce water use, such as toilets, washing machines, irrigation sprinklers, and irrigation controllers. Products must be labelled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Sense program or, in the case of washing machines, by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. Funds may be used only for appliance replacement, not for first-time purchases for new developments.
Grant funds will cover 75% of costs and require a 25% local match. Residents must pay a portion of the cost of any appliance or water use audit.
Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2019. Required application information includes:
- Rebate or grant program design and work plan
- Proposed examples of communications to property owners
- Requested total grant amount
- Estimated annual amount of water saved by the applying municipality
Details about the program and the grant application.
The Metropolitan Council previously administered a water efficiency grant program from 2015-17 using $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund. Data from that program showed an estimated total savings of 52 million gallons of water per year.
Questions? Contact Steven Huser at [email protected], or 651-215-4003.
EVENT: MCES Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) is hosting tours at two wastewater treatment plants this fall. While the content of the tours will be focused for public works, finance and administrative city staff, elected officials and other staff are also welcome to attend. Some of the topics covered include plant capital work, staffing, and effects of the inflow and infiltration program. Additional topics may be covered as time permits.
Tour Dates and Locations:
Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant
2400 Childs Road, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Thursday, September 26, 2019 – 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant
6957 County Road 101 E., Shakopee MN 55379
Thursday, October 3, 2019 – 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Attendance is limited and spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested, please confirm your attendance at a tour by responding to Britni Kesselring at [email protected] by September 20 with the following information:
- Full Name of Attendee (First, Middle, Last)
- State of Residency
- Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY) (used for a security pre-check prior to the date of tour)
Day of the Tour & Safety Requirements:
- Bring a government-issued photo identification card to sign in at the guard station (state-issued driver’s license, a state-issued identification card, VISA (aka “green card”) or passport)
- Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes
- Hard hats, safety glasses, and safety vests will be provided
Click HERE to view a video with more information about Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and the regional wastewater treatment system.
Third and Final Round of Policy Committees Will Meet the Week of September 9
Metro Cities’ four policy committees will convene for third and final meetings the week of September 9. Packets will be sent in advance and will be posted on our website.