Drinking Water Management

Drinking Water Management

Burnsville’s drinking water comes from two sources:

  • Groundwater – Found underground in aquifers (layers of soil, sand and rock). We bring it to the surface through wells.
  • Surface water – Found in lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands. In Burnsville, it mainly comes from rain and snowmelt.

These two sources work together. Surface water helps recharge groundwater, which is why protecting lakes, rivers and wetlands is essential to keeping our drinking water supply safe.

Seasonal Water Use

  • Summer: About two-thirds of Burnsville’s water comes from groundwater to meet higher demand from lawn watering and outdoor use.
  • Winter: The supply shifts, with two-thirds coming from surface water and one-third from groundwater.

Water Facts

  • Burnsville pumps about 3.2 billion gallons of water each year from both sources.
  • We also supply 85% of the City of Savage’s drinking water.
  • Read the Drinking Water Quality Report for more details.

Drinking Water Protection Overlay District

Burnsville established a Drinking Water Protection Overlay District (DWPOD) in June 2015 to protect areas most vulnerable to groundwater contamination. This northern area of the city includes wells and surface water that are key to our drinking water supply.

Why This Area?

The area was designated “highly vulnerable” based on:

  • Well locations
  • Surface water features
  • Soil and aquifer conditions

The DWPOD ordinance City Code 10-8-12 sets standards for land uses that pose a contamination risk — like chemical storage or outdoor materials.

Goals of the DWPOD

  • Prevent leaks, spills and improper disposal of hazardous materials
  • Educate businesses and property owners annually
  • Conduct routine site inspections
  • Ensure safe storage and handling of regulated substances
  • Enforce the ordinance if violations occur

Risk Categories

Each site in the DWPOD is assigned a risk level:

  • High Priority
  • Medium Priority
  • Low Priority

Risk is based on the type and quantity of petroleum products or hazardous materials stored or used on-site. Sites are identified through a questionnaire and inspection.