3A, Metropolitan Council Rep John Doan

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The Council's wastewater collection and treatment system has an outstand- ing record of compliance with its federal clean water discharge permits. At the same time, the Council charges its customers among the lowest rates in the nation for peer -sized systems. It Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Facts Council protects water quality, public health Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES), a division of the Metropolitan Council, is responsible for collecting and treating wastewater from approximately 90% of the population in the seven- county Twin Cities area. MCES also conducts research related to water quality and supply, and provides technical assistance to local governments. Among its primary responsibilities, MCES: • Maintains approximately 600 miles of regional interceptor sewers that collect flow from 5,000 miles of sewers owned by 105 communities. • Treats an average of 250 million gallons of wastewater daily at seven regional treatment plants. • Works with approximately 800 industrial clients to substantially reduce the amount of pollution entering the wastewater collection system. Provides water quality monitoring and analysis for the region. • Conducts research and develops policies and plans related to the region's water supply. . Partners with numerous public, private and nonprofit groups committed to a clean environment. Services support regional growth The services that MCES provides protect public health and the environment while supporting regional growth. MCES ensures that: • Sufficient sewer capacity exists to serve planned development. Sufficient capital investments are made to preserve water quality in the region. Wastewater collection and treatment is competitive for cost and quality. • Local plans provide for adequate water supply and prevention of pollution from nonpoint sources, such as urban and agricultural storm water runoff. Plants maintain outstanding environmental record As of March 1, 2011, the Council's seven wastewater treatment plants had gone 49 consecutive months with no violations of their federal clean water discharge permits. The Hastings, St. Croix Valley, and Seneca wastewater treatment plants have achieved 20,19 and 10 consecutive years, respectively, of full compliance with environmental permits. MCES earned a special Operations Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies in 2009 for its Inflow /Infiltration Reduction Program. The program is a partnership with communities, and is designed to reduce excessive inflow and infiltration of clear water into the sanitary sewer system. Initiatives boost quality, allow for growth MCES implements a capital improvement program that maintains and improves the quality of the regional wastewater system infrastructure, supports regional growth and meets regulatory requirements. Some current projects are described below. Energy reduction. MCES is working to reduce energy consumption by at least 15% at its facilities. Projects