MN Proposes to Double Water Fees for Top Users

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota officials are proposing to essentially double the wholesale price of water for the state's largest users as it seeks to get grip on growing demand for groundwater.

The plan by Governor Mark Dayton and the Department of Natural Resources would increase water fees for more than 7,000 water permit holders statewide that use more than 1 million gallons annually.

The increase would raise the cost from an average of about $7.50 per million gallons of water to $15.

DNR officials say a typical homeowner would pay 50 cents to $1 more per year, while a typical farm irrigation bill would rise from $140 a year to $500.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr says the increase won't solve Minnesota's water sustainability issues, but it's a start.

The proposal needs legislative approval.