A DNR official says that the water appropriation permits for Enbridge are treated differently, depending on if they relate to surface water or groundwater.
Enbridge’s construction dewatering permits to lower the water table are considered groundwater permits.
These types of permits are not as subject to suspension due to drought or low-flow conditions, according to Randall Doneen, Conservation Assistance and Regulations Sections Manager for the DNR.
The 5 billion gallons of water that will be appropriated are across the entire Minnesota leg of Line 3.
Each dewatering event impact, Doneen said, will be limited in both time and space because most of the water returns to the system after about a day.
Some water is used for the drilling fluid, and some may be lost to evaporation.
Enbridge is constructing around 330 miles of pipeline across Minnesota, largely along a new route south of the Clearbrook terminal.
The new Line 3 is expected to be operational by the end of this year.
When complete, it will resume the historical capacity of Line 3 at around 760,000 barrels a day.
Capacity of the existing Line 3 has been reduced due to corrosion of the 60-year-old pipeline.
Listen to the full interview with Doneen here.
