November 2025 Trivia

b) MT. Simon-Hinckley Aquifer

The Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer is one of the deepest and oldest groundwater aquifers in Minnesota, and  the source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. An estimated 3.2 billion gallons were pumped from it in 2008.  It’s had protections from industrial pumping for over 30 years because of its importance and how long the aquifer will take to recharge.

MCEA recently partnered with student representatives from Mankato State University to develop a resolution stating that the student body is against the development of data centers without environmental review and a petition to keep protections for the aquifer on the books when it came to their attention that city officials were lobbying to lift the restrictions on the already stressed aquifer.