June 2015

Legislative Commission to Discuss Business of Water Technology

The Legislative Water Commission (LWC) will meet on Monday, June 22, to hear about water technology businesses in Minnesota. Representatives from Pentair, 3M, GE, Tonka Water, Lenz Consulting and Creative Water Solutions will explain the water services they provide and their importance to Minnesota. They will help commission members understand how business-oriented solutions are being used to improve water quality and sustain water quantity. They might also discuss the barriers that businesses face when working on Minnesota’s water resource issues. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 5 of the State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul. The public is welcome to attend this meeting.

The LWC is a bipartisan group of six senators and six representatives from throughout Minnesota. In October 2014, they began studying Minnesota’s water management policies and programs. State government agencies, local governmental units, environmental nonprofits and agricultural groups have made presentations about their water-related efforts since then. The LWC is excited to now hear how the business sector is addressing water issues. 

Water is important to Minnesotans. Lakes, streams and wetlands cover about 20 percent of our landscape. Our bodies and businesses depend on clean and plentiful water that comes from underground aquifers and surface water. But human activities affect our water resources. More than 40 percent of our surface waters don’t meet water quality standards, and much of our groundwater is susceptible to contamination. Recently, water availability conflicts have arisen. As it moves forward, the LWC will provide guidance on legislation to protect Minnesota’s waters.

As soon as it is finalized, the agenda for the June meeting will be posted at www.lcc.leg.mn/lwc under the meetings tab. To follow the progress of the LWC, click on subscribe on the LWC homepage. Questions may be directed to Barb Huberty, LWC director, at barb.huberty@lcc.leg.mn or 651/284-6431.