The Bill Addresses Concerns Raised due to New Large-Scale Industrial Water Use
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Today, Thursday, March 26, the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee heard Senate File 3852, authored by Senator Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL – Minnetonka). This bill creates a separate permit requirement for large industrial or consumptive-use water users seeking a new or modified water-use permit. If they will exceed 100 million gallons per year or 50% or more of the municipality’s current annual appropriation volume, they must apply for a separate permit rather than utilizing a municipal permit. This bill also requires a mandatory public comment period on water appropriation permits for large-volume commercial and industrial users and requires that aquifer pump tests be included in environmental reviews.
Minnesota is perceived as a “water-rich” state, and that perception has attracted water-intensive industries such as bottled water plants, ethanol plants, and hyperscale data centers. But our groundwater resources are increasingly strained as these high-volume uses compete with residential and agricultural uses. Notably, groundwater provides 75% of the water we drink at the tap and 90% of agricultural irrigation.
Current state law prioritizes domestic water supply as the most important water use to preserve in Minnesota; industrial and commercial uses of water are ranked fifth on that list. Additionally, by using municipal permits, any liability and cost for well interference (in which wells can run dry) falls on the city rather than the company. Separating large-volume water users with their own permits will help the Department of Natural Resources manage water allocation priorities.
“It can be easy for many of us to think that water is an infinite resource,” said Sen. Johnson Stewart. “The reality is we are all taking water from aquifers or wells, which, if not carefully managed, can run dry.
“These are natural resources we all use for our drinking water, but recently we have seen large industrial and commercial users moving into our communities.
“By implementing water permits for industrial and commercial uses exceeding 100 million gallons of water per year, we are ensuring the state can manage water use proactively into the future, and that the public has access to plentiful drinking water.”
The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. You can view the entire bill hearing here.
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