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:
- Adopt laws and codes for high efficiency fixtures;
- Require utilities to develop and implement climate change plans;
- 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.
For water appropriation permittees: an annual water conservation reporting system measures success.
The average Minnesotan uses 52 gallons per person, per day. Saving water saves energy. What can you do to save water and energy?
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.
Minnesota farms have more than a half million irrigated acres using over 80 billion gallons of water. Learn how conserving irrigation water saves money.
Improving operational efficiency and reducing water loss saves money. This delays the high cost of building additional facilities.
Conservation starts early. Education fosters good conservation habits.
