Water for Tomorrow: Modernizing Rochester’s Water System
For more than 110 years, Rochester has relied on our water system to provide clean, safe water from deep underground. Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) works every day to keep that water reliably flowing to homes and businesses across our community.
Water for Tomorrow is RPU's long-term plan to secure a future water supply for Rochester and to plan important system improvements that will ensure the quality of water remains in compliance with federal regulations. By planning now, we can safeguard our water resources and continue providing reliable, high-quality water for the next 50 to 100 years.
What This Means for You
Your water is safe today. Water delivered by RPU meets all EPA primary drinking water standards, the federal rules that protect public health.
Rochester has enough water today. The challenge is planning now to make sure our community continues to have a safe, reliable water supply for decades to come.
Any changes to the water system will be carefully planned and made over many years. By planning now, we can make smart choices today instead of rushed, costly ones later.
Why We Are Planning Now
Our water system has served the community for generations. But it was not designed for the challenges ahead. In the coming years, the City must:
- Stay within the state's limit on how much water can be pumped from local aquifers
- Meet evolving water quality standards
- Protect local streams and wetlands
Growth in our city increases demand for water. But it is not the primary reason we need to act. Even if Rochester stopped growing today, our water system may still require major upgrades to meet future needs.
New investments could include new water sources and upgrades to the system that delivers water across Rochester. The investment would be made over many years as part of a long-term plan to modernize our water system and provide safe, reliable water for the community.
Our Commitment to You
RPU’s responsibilities include the long-term planning, investment and overall performance of the community’s water system. We are committed to:
- Keeping your water safe, accessible and reliable every day.
- Using science and data to choose the best path forward.
- Sharing what we learn with you along the way.
- Making major decisions in public, with oversight from the RPU Board and Rochester City Council.
Our goal is simple:
Provide reliable, safe water for Rochester for generations to come.
Learn More
Understanding Our Water System
See how Rochester's water system was built and why changes are needed to ensure we have quality water for tomorrow.
Our Planning Process
Learn what RPU is studying, what options are being considered and what steps come next in our long-term planning process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to questions about Water for Tomorrow, why long-term planning matters and what it means for Rochester’s future.
Questions?
We want to hear from you. Email your questions or comments to waterfortomorrow@rpu.org.