ENRTF ID: 116-BH Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) 2020 Main Proposal Template PROJECT TITLE: Expanding Protection of Minnesota Water through Industrial Conservation I. PROJECT STATEMENT This project seeks to decrease water demand in communities at risk for inadequate ground water supply or quality by providing technical assistance to identify cost-effective ways to reduce industrial/commercial water use. The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) will identify target regions with water access and/or water quality challenges by utilizing detailed community water system knowledge of partner Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) and others. MnTAP and MRWA will engage these regions by conducting water efficiency workshops, direct technical assistance to businesses, and placing interns in businesses with high water efficiency opportunity to launch conservation implementation. The current proposal seeks to expand a successful industrial/commercial water efficiency program currently limited to the metro area to the entire State of Minnesota. MnTAP has demonstrated that industrial water efficiency technical assistance can reduce industrial water use, decrease water demand and improve operating costs. Technical assistance efforts have achieved significant water savings through maintenance and minor process modifications. * A food processing facility achieved over 2 million gallons of water savings annually and operating cost reduction of $14,000/yr by optimizing pump operations and irrigation controls. * A healthcare facility identified 7.6 million gallons of water savings annually and operating cost reduction of $123,000/yr by optimizing water discharge procedures and developing a replacement schedule for less efficient equipment at the end of useful life. * A ready mixed concrete producer saved 4.3 million gallons of water annually by implementing reuse. Some parts of Minnesota suffer from low producing aquifers that are unable to support growth in residential and industrial/commercial water use. Other areas may have sufficient water supply, however, high water use may result in contamination due to drawdown and infiltration. Reducing water demand in areas at risk for water scarcity or well contamination may provide a low cost option for water management activities when compared with well drilling or extensive water purification. II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES Activity 1: Identify and engage regions with water supply and/or water quality challenges Description: Partner with MRWA to identify 10 regions in Minnesota that have not received water efficiency technical assistance previously and could benefit from reduced water demand. The regions will be selected based on aquifer resiliency, MRWA regional knowledge, and the presence of significant industrial activity. Regional water supply providers and commercial/industrial water users will be contacted for participation in the project. Project opportunity information sharing will be conducted through communication pieces and educational workshops on water use best management practices and success stories from past projects. ENRTF BUDGET: $55,630 Outcome Completion Date 1. 10 outreach targets identified. 9/1/2020 2. Characterize regions by industry and water conservation potential. 11/1/2020 3. 3-4 regions receive directed outreach for water conservation technical assistance. 12/31/2020 4. 3-4 educational workshops on water conservation in participating regions. 3/31/2021 5. 5-8 high water users identified. 3/31/2021 Activity 2: Conduct water conservation assessments at industrial facilities and measure impact Description: Conduct technical assistance site assessments at the sites identified in Activity 1 to demonstrate water conservation and source reduction opportunities. Site assessments will include mapping site water use, identifying high use operations and recommending options to manage water use more efficiently. Up to three complex, technical projects will be chosen as summer intern projects to assess industrial water use, develop water saving recommendations and launch conservation implementation. ENRTF BUDGET: $102,800 Outcome Completion Date 1. 5-8 water conservation and source reduction site assessments complete. 5/31/2022 2. 3 water conservation focused intern projects in the selected regions. 9/30/2022 3. All participating sites receive follow up assistance from MnTAP. 11/30/2022 4. 10,000,000 gallons of water reduced annually. 12/31/2022 Activity 3: Share results and replication opportunity throughout the state Description: Outline a self-assessment process to identify water efficiency opportunity and disseminate success stories/lessons learning to a broad audience throughout Minnesota. Present findings at available regional meetings, informational publications and through a webinar that is open to the public and recorded for future viewing. Maintain effective reporting communications with project sponsor. ENRTF BUDGET: $20,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. 3 intern success stories published. 10/30/2022 2. Presentations outlining the project outcomes. 9/30/2022 3. 1 webinar recorded and archived for future viewing. 10/30/2022 4. Water use assessment screening tool developed. 10/30/2022 III. PROJECT PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: MnTAP will expand our project partnership with MRWA to leverage outreach and technical assistance capabilities of both organizations. MRWA has deep connections with communities across Minnesota that may benefit from water efficiency technical assistance. MRWA will make project information and research findings available on the MRWA website, as well as in MRWA’s publications. MRWA will be a contracted partner to work closely with MnTAP to identify and engage communities with efficiency opportunity, support training activities and encourage implementation of recommendations. Regional business and local government leaders will be important collaborators to share project information within identified communities to promote engagement and broaden support for the projects and implementation of recommended water efficiency measures. IV. LONG-TERM IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: This project seeks to develop a strategy to bring a demonstrated industrial/commercial water efficiency technical assistance program to communities throughout the state interested in water management strategies. Once developed and documented, these strategies will be available to communities, businesses and existing programs that assist Minnesota communities with sustainable water use for replication beyond the program time period.