Mahr, Heron2024-06-272024-06-272024-03-01https://hdl.handle.net/11299/264013The goals of this project were to understand 1) how Minnesotans obtain their drinking water; 2) if people trust their tap water, and to document what concerns might exist; 3) how people use and engage with their tap water; and 4) how people want to receive and share information about their tap water. Additional goals included 1) building and strengthening trust in public institutions; 2) encouraging civic engagement; and 3) gathering candid public opinions on key MDH tradeoffs and issues. MDH worked with the University of Minnesota and two Minnesota nonprofit organizations, Clean River Partners (CRP) and Freshwater, to lead these conversations. CRP was the project lead for the community engagement sessions, while Freshwater led the sessions with drinking water professionals. The community engagement project was staffed by seven people from three organizations: Anne Nelson (MDH), Jennifer Tonko (CRP), Heron Mahr (CRP), Kris Meyer (Freshwater), Chyann Erickson (Freshwater), Alex Van Loh (Freshwater), and Alyssa Fabia (Freshwater). Each meeting was facilitated by two staff members: one from CRP, and one from Freshwater.The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is developing a ten-year Drinking Water Action Plan that will guide Minnesota’s drinking water management from 2024-2033. The aim of this plan is to regulate safe and reliable drinking water supplies throughout Minnesota, with an emphasis on equitable access. The Drinking Water Action Plan is being created with input from drinking water professionals and consumers. This report details the feedback collected from consumers during community engagement sessions across the state. The objective of these sessions was to further water equity in Minnesota by gathering public opinions through survey questions and engaged dialogue.enDrinking waterMinnesota Department of HealthCommunity engagementReport