Clean Water Strategy

The Clean Water Strategy Report is available in the Documents section.

City Council approved the Clean Water Strategy Vision (values and goals) at their April 16th meeting.

Staff will take the following next steps;

• Finalize the Clean Water Strategy report.
• Program Clean Water activities and coordinate with the capital improvement planning process in 2024.
• Pursue quick wins including resources for engaging residents in purple loosestrife control in 2024.
• Evaluate accountability tools to communicate the clean water strategy, actions, and progress toward the vision.

Staff is recommending that Council approve the Clean Water Strategy Vision as well as the supporting values and goals. These are unchanged from the Council’s preview last month.

Key takeaways from the March 19th meeting;

• Strong support for the vision and goals.
• Desire to see progress toward clean water and be proud of what we have for water resources.
• Health was a strong theme – both in terms of exposure to harmful algal blooms and more generally in terms of access to nature and mental health.
• Interest in details (budget, time horizons, outcomes) and accountability measures.
• Support for prioritizing waterbodies and focusing actions.
• Actions should be aligned with the vision. Actions need to be specific and justified with the desired value/goal.
• Help people do their part. Engage residents. Provide resources for people, particularly for those that want to take action in areas that aren’t city priorities.
• More information about the land management program and its crossover with clean water is desired.

The proposed clean water vision is:

Edina’s waterbodies are in a healthy ecosystem equilibrium, where waters are clear, safe, and accessible.

Prevent pollution: We control pollutants at their source and help people do their part.

Mitigate pollution: We build, operate, and maintain infrastructure and take actions to capture and remove pollutants.

Protect and restore ecological processes: We protect and restore natural ecosystems on land and in water.

Check out the staff report in the documents section for more background information including the values and goals that this vision is built off of.

The proposed Clean Water Strategy vision was developed from these values and goals.

Ecosystems are in a healthy equilibrium; water is clear and environmental benefits are sustained.

• Water clarity improves as people use water friendly practices.

• Water is safe for human contact.

• Waters support native plants, insects, and animals consistent with an urban setting.

• Shorelines are stable and provide shelter for wildlife consistent with urban lands.

City actions align to do the most good towards measurable, desirable clean water outcomes leveraging creativity and innovation.

• The city uses an iterative ‘build, test, learn’ model to make progress.

• The city uses a systems approach in its implementation to consider cumulative benefits.

• The city performs active management to improve or maintain water clarity and chemistry at levels appropriate for urban waters.

• Pollution is managed towards achieving water resource conditions that meet standards and support community uses.

• In-lake management practices are applied towards achieving conditions that meet standards and support community uses.

• Clean water goals are pursued with consideration for multiple benefits and available resources.

People are connected to the land and water in reciprocity, both caring for nature and enjoying the benefits of a healthy environment.

• People access and interpret knowledge and guidance on urban clean water goals and behaviors that promote them.

• People pursue activities that promote clean water and natural resource stewardship.

• Waters are restored or maintained in conditions allowing for beneficial uses.

All people have access to water and the cultural values and environmental benefits they provide.

• Clean water actions prioritize waters with public access.

• Clean water strategies recognize the diverse ways people value and experience the city’s waters.

*Updated March 12, 2024. Staff will preview the Clean Water Strategy Vision at the March 19th meeting. A decision on the Clean Water Strategy Vision is anticipated for later this spring.

City Council met in a work session on August 15th for a discussion on the Clean Water Strategy elements. They indicated they needed more information and clarification. Staff are preparing a preview for Council to consider at their March 19th meeting. A copy of the staff report will be posted on this project page one week in advance of the meeting.

The audio recording of the meeting is now available at www.edinamn.gov/746/Watch-a-City-Meeting.The meeting agenda agenda, packet & minutes can be accessed at www.edinamn.gov/27/Government.

Thank you for your input so far. Please continue to share comments and ask questions.

The draft vision and priorities we've shared so far are a straw man proposal - a concept version of something shared in order for people to discuss, break down, & improve. Thank you for sharing your perspective and knowledge in response to the initial draft.

We're in the process of reviewing information, thinking about how the input received so far gets incorporated, and writing a report in response to questions and ideas. Thanks for your patience as we piece it all together.

A City Council work session is scheduled for August 15th. City Council will receive a report from staff summarizing what we’ve heard so far and how input has been used. Staff will seek Council direction on next steps and ask them what other information they need to be able to make a decision at a future meeting. We'll share a draft of the staff report here in early August.

Check out this article in the Sun Current.

Photo credit: Alex Kautzman, Sun Current

We are eager to get your input on the draft vision (values and goals), priority waterbodies, and priority pollutants. Please join us at one of four in-person opportunities and/or review and comment online.