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Draft North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area Plan 2-5 Water Use Current and projected water use informed the boundary recommendation in the following ways: e The boundary includes areas with intensive groundwater use, and it includes the majority of the largest permitted users in the hydrogeologic system bounded by the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers (Figure 2-4). Substantial growth in water demand is projected in areas served by the aquifer system. The boundary includes the areas where the largest growth in water demand is expected. Groundwater appropriations and use There were 259 active permits to appropriate groundwater in the area at the beginning of 2014. The average reported groundwater use in the area over the 5-year period from 2008 through 2012 was approximately 29.0 billion gallons per year (BGY). This compares to total permitted groundwater appropriations of 62.5 BGY in 2012. Total average groundwater use over the 5-year period was 30.6 BGY after adding domestic well use estimated by Metropolitan Council for 2010°(1.6 BGY). Groundwater use is shown in several categories in Figure 2-5. Projected Water Demands Water supply plans and water use projections compiled by the Metropolitan Council in 2008 projected municipal water use will increase 23 percent by 2030 compared to average use reported for 2008-2012. Total water use was projected to increase 20 percent over the same time period.The highest increases in water demand by 2030 were projected in Woodbury, Hugo, Cottage Grove, Blaine, and Forest Lake. The Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating projected water demands through 2040, considering updated demand projections from public water suppliers. There is always uncertainty in the population projections used to make the water-use projections. For example, the Metropolitan Council population forecasts for 2040 show more growth in the core cities and inner suburbs compared to the forecasts available in 2008. What is clear is that population and water-use will continue to grow in several suburban communities that use groundwater. Substantially amended permit volumes and/or new permits would need to be issued to meet projected 2030 demands with locally supplied groundwater. The Metropolitan Council projections did not anticipate large increases in surface-water use, but growth in supply was assumed to be dominated by local groundwater supplies. Privately owned,domestic groundwater use was projected to increase slightly but would make up less than one percent of total water use in 2030. °Metropolitan Council, 2013. Public Water Supply System Demand Projections—Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, Minnesota: www.datafinder.org/cafe. P33