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<br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated this is only one measure or one component <br />of water conservation. Education will be the key for new developments. The train of <br />thought is to help reduce the amount of irrigated water use. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated it is a new start. The big concern is pumping more water <br />from the aquifers and putting it onto 'the surface. Water doesn't flow right back into the <br />aquifers so eventually the resource can be depleted. The problem is the time usage and <br />how rapidly water is being pulled out of the aquifer. He stated the City needs to put steps <br />in place to help alleviate the problem other cities are having. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda asked how many fines were given out this year for violation of the <br />wat~ring bans. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that approximately 70 fines or warnings <br />have been sent out. ' <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda wondered if the City is already doing everything to enforce the <br />ordinance in place. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated the City ,is taking. the sprinkling ban very <br />seriously. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated there needs to be more education to bring awareness that <br />allows for monitoring the ordinance. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated this hits home to enough people when their neighbors turn <br />them in. <br /> <br />Mr. Bruce Bacon calculated that if a development were going in, and they were supposed <br />to import this volume of topsoil, a logical source might be to take soil from the wetlands. <br />He wondered if this would be a wise choice. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that if it is cheaper to do that, then he would concur with Mr. <br />Bruce Bacon, but that may not be allowed. <br /> <br />Board Member Bentz asked if the DNR would require a permit to do that. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated if it is a larger wetland they would require one. <br /> <br />Board Member Sibilski stated if something isn't done in conjunction with this topsoil <br />requirement to decrease water usage, it won't make a big impact to decrease the 6.5 <br />million gallon usage. He suggested that people should be paying more so there is an <br />impact felt. <br /> <br />Board Member Olds stated 'that the. City water rates are such that the base amount <br />charged in the winter is more than the usage. Currently, there is no incentive to use less <br />because residents are billed at a given amount that is more than what is used anyway. <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board/July 23, 2007 <br />, Page 13 of 16 <br /> <br />25 <br />