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<br />CASE # 1 <br /> <br />IRRIGATION PERMIT & REGULATIONS REVIEW <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />At the October meeting, the Board briefly discussed water conservation and what could be done to lessen <br />Ramsey's non-consumptive water usage. . There was some uncertainty with what the requirements and <br />regulations are for irrigation systems and whether a permit is required. The Board directed Staff to <br />research this further and bring forth a case at a future meeting. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />A permit for an irrigation system is required, whether for a single family home, multi-family <br />development or commercial/industrial developments. The permit fee is $47.50 for single family <br />properties and $60.50 for multi-family and commercial/industrial developments. There is an inspection <br />to verify that a backflow prevention device is installed with the irrigation system (purpose is to prevent <br />backflow contamination of a home's drinking water as well as to protect the city's public water system). . <br /> <br />MN State Statute 103G.298 (Landscape Irrigation Systems), which took effect July 1,2003, requires all <br />irrigation systems installed after the effective date be equipped with rain sensors and reads as follows: <br /> <br />All automatically operated landscape irrigation systems shall have furnished and <br />installed technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the landscape irrigation <br />system during periods of sufficient moisture. The technology must be adjustable <br />either by the end user or the professional practitioner of landscape irrigation <br />serVIces. <br /> <br />Irrigation systems that were in place prior to the effective date of this statute are not required to be <br />retrofitted with rairt sensors. If a system were to be retrofitted with rain. sensors, or with newer <br />technology such as moisture sensors, no permit is required. Attached is a copy of the lawn irrigation <br />handout (Exhibit 1) available through the Building Division (and on the website). <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />The above information was included per the Board's direction at the October meeting. However, Staff is <br />hopeful that this will prompt a broader discussion on water conservation ideas, which could be <br />implemented throughout the community, such as a rain barrel program, encouragement of water smart <br />landscaping, residential and commercial/industrial rebates for installation (initially or by retrofitting) of <br />moisture sensors and other technologies, educational outreach via the Ramsey Resident newsletter and/or <br />utility bills, just to name a few. <br /> <br />EPB Action <br /> <br />Based on discussion. <br /> <br />EPB: 12/1/08 <br />