Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/03/2009

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Attachment A Introduction Ramsey is located on the Anoka Sand Plain and, as the name implies, the Anoka Sand Plain is dominated by mostly sandy soils. Sandy soils have rather low water holding capacity, so much of the water used to irrigate yards typically moves through the soil and out of the root zone area rather quickly. As Ramsey residents try to keep their yards green during the summer months, water usage almost triples from just less than 2 million gallons per day to over 5 million gallons per day. This is in large part why Ramsey has been identified as one of the largest consumers of domestic water in the metro area. As Ramsey's population continues to grow, as well as the population of the region as a whole, the demand for water will grow as well. Ramsey's population alone is forecasted to increase by roughly 12,000 people by the year 2020, putting tremendous pressure on the groundwater supply (usually referred to cumulatively as aquifers). As regional demand for water continues to rise, aquifers, which are currently our source for drinking water, are depleted. While groundwater generally is replenished or recharged by precipitation, activities such as pumping (wells), increasing impervious surfaces (roads, rooftops, driveways etc), and climatic changes, can certainly alter recharge rates, and potentially diminish the recharge of aquifers (http://pubs. usgs.gov/fs/2007 /3002/pdf/FS2007 - 3002 web. pdt). It is important to note that groundwater not only provides a source of drinking water but also serves to maintain stream flow, lake levels and wetlands. So, searching for and identifying ways to help maintain and replenish groundwater are extremely important. As the demand for water grows, communities will have to start looking at alternative sources of water. In fact, Ramsey may at some future point, need to explore the utilization of water from the Mississippi River for its domestic water supply. While this may be a viable option, it also includes costly expenses, such as the construction of water treatment plant. This water conservation 'tool box' is intended to provide a vast array of strategies and ideas that can be utilized by residents to help limit the demand on our water supply. There is a wide range of information that will hopefully help identify big and small changes that we can make in our daily lives to help conserve our water supply. Link to MN DNR website for groundwater info: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/groundwater/index.html Ramsey Rules Current Watering Restrictions To reduce peak water usage in areas served by the municipal water system, the city has enacted an odd/even sprinkling ban that is in affect between Memorial Day and Labor Day each summer. . . Residents with addresses ending in an odd number can water their yards on odd numbered days and residents with addresses ending in an even number can water their yards on even numbered days.