The Mississippi River is the sole source of drinking water for the cities of St. Cloud and Minneapolis, and the primary source for St. Paul. Working collaboratively, the 3 cities' water utilities have successfully prepared source water protection plans (plan) through the Upper Mississippi River Source Water Protection Project (UMRSWPP).
Funding for the UMRSWPP was provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the individual water suppliers and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) and Metropolitan Council are also project sponsors.