Required documents and due dates
Templates, forms, and guidance
Water Supply Plan Supporting Tables workbook: enter data, generate calculations, and create graphs
Water Supply Plan Template (online form): provide information about plans, goals, and evaluation. Water suppliers will receive a link to this form via email.
Complete list of questions: contains all possible questions from the online form
Glossary: definitions of terms used within the form and workbook
Resources page: this DNR webpage will be updated as resources are added
The DNR will send a link to access the online form to the contacts listed in MPARS for all public water suppliers that are required to complete a water supply plan.
Due dates
Twin Cities metropolitan area: submit updated plans between 2027–2028 as part of the comprehensive plan update cycle.
Other public water suppliers: submit updates when requesting permit amendments or when notified by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), generally after 2027
If you need an extension or are unsure about timing, contact the DNR as soon as possible.
What is a water supply plan?
A water supply plan is both a technical document and an implementation tool. It describes how a community provides safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water today and how it will meet future needs over the next 10 years (and to 2050 for communities in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area).
Beyond summarizing data, the plan also supports strategies – such as ordinances, funding, and service agreements- that help the community act quickly when water supply work is needed, including during drought, contamination events, or infrastructure failure.
Who needs a plan?
All public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people.
All municipal public water supply systems in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Why it matters
A strong water supply plan helps communities:
Protect public health and safety by ensuring adequate, safe drinking water
Support economic stability and growth by aligning water capacity with planned housing, jobs, and redevelopment
Protect natural resources by promoting conservation and responsible water use
Meet state and regional requirements, supporting timely approvals and eligibility for permits and funding
For planners, the plan creates shared understanding of local water conditions and tradeoffs—supporting land use decisions, capital planning, and coordination with local, regional and state partners.
Telling your water supply story
Your plan helps explain your community’s water context including:
Who you serve now, and who you will serve in the future (population, households, jobs)
Where your water comes from and how much you currently use
How demand may change with growth and with conservation and efficiency measures
How resilient your system is, including key risks and backup strategies
What options exist if future demand exceeds current capacity
These elements show how your community will keep water safe and reliable for current and future residents.
Statutory and policy requirements
Water supply plans are shaped by both state law and regional policy.
State requirements
Minnesota Statutes, section §103G.291 require public water suppliers serving more than 1,000 people to submit a water supply plan for approval every 10 years. Plans must address:
Projected water demand,
Adequacy of the water supply system and planned improvements,
Existing and future water sources,
Natural resource impacts or limitations,
Emergency preparedness,
Water conservation and demand reduction measures, and
Allocation priorities consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.261
Metropolitan area requirements
For communities in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the water supply plan is a required element of the local comprehensive plan under Minnesota Statutes, section §473.859 and must be consistent with regional policy.
The Metropolitan Council also maintains a webpage with information and resources for water supply planning.
Who reviews your plan
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR): reviews and approves all water supply plans
Metropolitan Council (seven-county metropolitan area communities only): reviews plans for consistency with regional policy as part of the comprehensive plan review
How to submit your plan
The Water Supply Plan consists of two parts:
Water Supply Plan Supporting Tables (Excel Workbook)
Water Supply Plan template (online form)
The DNR will send you a link to access the Water Supply Plan template, which is an online form. The online form will prompt you to upload your Water Supply Plan Supporting Tables workbook and other necessary attachments (ordinances, rate information, etc.). The DNR will create a final PDF from your approved information and upload this version to MPARS.
DNR encourages you to review the Water Supply Plan Complete List of Questions to help you gather data, consider your answers, and understand the flow of the online form, including which questions you will see based on your programs and system.
For Twin Cities metropolitan communities, plans are shared with the Metropolitan Council for preliminary review, followed by formal review when the DNR-approved water supply plan is submitted to the Metropolitan Council as part of the comprehensive plan.
What to expect after submission
Completeness review
Technical review and coordination with state and regional partners
Requests for clarifications or revisions, if needed
Formal approval
Frequently asked questions
The DNR will update this FAQ as we receive feedback about the Water Supply Planning process.
What if I find a problem with the Water Supply Plan (online form) or the Water Supply Plan Supporting Tables (Excel Spreadsheet)?
Use the help request form if you find a problem with the Water Supply Plan Supporting Tables workbook or the online form. We will update these as necessary.
Can I submit my plan early?
Yes.
How do I revise data after submission?
DNR staff will provide instructions if revisions are needed during review.
Who can help with questions about data or process?
Submit a help request form.
See contact information below.
Contact & Support
Questions or need help?
Contact your area hydrologist or [email protected].
Twin Cities metro communities may also contact their Metropolitan Council sector representative