Water conservation

Stone arch bridge over the Mississippi with the Minneapolis skyline behind it

The Alliance for Water Efficiency recently released the 2022 State Policy Scorecard for Water Efficiency and Sustainability. The scorecard evaluated and ranked each U.S. state based on its adoption of laws and policies that advance water efficiency, conservation, sustainability, and affordability. Minnesota’s individual state scorecard is on page 47 of the full report.

Minnesota Water Efficiency highlights include:

  • Minnesota is ranked tenth in the country.
  • For the first time, AWE also ranked by regions with similar climates. Minnesota ranked first among the Midwest and Great Plains states.
  • Minnesota is the only Great Lakes State to rank in the top ten.
  • Three recommendations for Minnesota:
    1. Adopt laws and codes for high efficiency fixtures;
    2. Require utilities to develop and implement climate change plans;
    3. Require coordination between land use and water planning.

Minnesota’s growing population uses water faster than some aquifers can replenish. Collaborating with Great Lakes Compact members, Minnesota has five water conservation goals. For more information, see:

You can have an impact. Here’s how you can save water and money.

hand with pen hovering over papers with charts and graphs

Reporting

For water appropriation permittees: an annual water conservation reporting system measures success.

close up of a lawn irrigation spigot

Residents

The average Minnesotan uses 52 gallons per person, per day. Saving water saves energy. What can you do to save water and energy?

stainless steel tanks and piping in a brewery

Commercial, industrial, institutional

Facilities can reduce water consumption 15 to 50 percent by adopting water conserving measures. Most water efficiency projects pay back the cost in 2 to 3 years.

pivot irrigation system viewed from level of corn stalks

Agriculture

Minnesota farms have more than a half million irrigated acres using over 80 billion gallons of water. Learn how conserving irrigation water saves money.

large blue pipes in the foreground on a background of blue pipes and gages in a municiple water facility

Water suppliers

Improving operational efficiency and reducing water loss saves money. This delays the high cost of building additional facilities.

large blue pipes in the foreground on a background of blue pipes and gages in a municiple water facility

Education

Conservation starts early. Education fosters good conservation habits.

Back to top