Minnesota Drinking Water Action Plan

The first-ever Minnesota Drinking Water Action Plan proposes strategies to address risks and gaps so that everyone, everywhere in Minnesota can be confident their drinking water is safe to drink. Check out the Plan at the Future of Drinking Water webpage.

Minnesota has an outstanding record of providing safe and sufficient drinking water for customers on public water systems. Yet, there are risks and gaps to address, including the unfair challenges small public water systems and private well users face, a shrinking drinking water workforce, as well as emerging risks from contaminants, pathogens and climate change. 

A few strategies named to address drinking water risks related to contaminants are:

• Monitor drinking water sources for emerging contaminants and pathogens.
• Understand how people may be affected by unregulated contaminants and emerging risks.
• Prioritize emerging risks that present the largest public health burden in the context of all contaminants.

At the recommendation of the Clean Water Council, the Minnesota Legislature directed MDH to coordinate the development of this plan, using Clean Water Fund dollars. MDH coordinated with state agencies, water resource professionals, and gather public input to develop the 10-year action plan.

If you have any questions, reach out to the Water Policy Center at waterpolicy.mdh@state.mn.us.