City of Wayzata Says Met Council's Water Use Numbers are Out of Date

An article posted Tuesday on Lake Minnetonka Patch examining water use by area municipalities and based on figures compiled by the Metropolitan Council contained data some city officials say was incomplete.

The post reported that the City of Wayzata’s water use is expected to grow 16.0 percent between 2010 and 2020—from 1.06 million gallons per day on average to 1.23 million gallons per day. By 2030, it’s expected to climb to 467.20 million gallons per year, far above the 350 million gallons it’s permitted now.

Dave Dudinsky, Director of Public Service for the City of Wayzata, said those statistics were “based on projections and assumptions that may need to be updated.”

“In 2010 the City performed a water leak study,” Dudinsky said. “Estimated savings in water pumpage after six water leaks were identified and repaired was estimated at about 54 million gallons yearly. Additionally, the City adopted a sprinkling ordinance to promote water conservation in 2010.”

Dudinsky provided data indicating the leak repairs and water conservation ordinance resulted in notable decreases in water use numbers, which the city reports each year to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Year

Population Served

Average Day Demand (MGD)

Maximum Day Demand (MGD)

Projected Demand (MGY)

Reported To DNR (MGY)

2007

         4,247

0.96

1.91

348.8

333.2

2008

         4,307

0.97

1.93

353.7

326.7

2009

         4,564

1.03

2.05

374.8

342.3

2010

         4,624

1.04

2.08

379.8

297.5

2011

         4,674

1.05

2.1

383.9

253.5

2012

         4,790

1.08

2.15

393.4

279.8

2013

         4,840

1.09

2.17

397.5

2014

         4,890

1.1

2.2

401.6

2015

         4,940

1.11

2.22

405.7

2016

         4,990

1.12

2.24

409.8

Additionally, Dudinsky said that as part of a water rate study completed in 2012, water usage projections were calculated based on current usage trends and current and future development in the City thru 2016.

• Projected water usage in 2013:     265.6MG
• Projected water usage in 2014:     309.6MG
• Projected water usage in 2015:     324.6MG
• Projected water usage in 2016:     342.5MG

Until the late 1970s, the seven-county region relied primarily on the Mississippi River for its water needs. As it stands now, just 16 of the region’s 186 communities rely on the Mississippi.

Today, about 70 percent of the metro, including cities around Lake Minntonka, relies on municipal and private wells that pump groundwater.