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Public water supply conservation - Water Appropriations Permit Program - Division of Waters: ... Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br />Water Audits, Leak Detection, and Repair <br /> <br />Cities should establish a goal for unaccounted-for water (the AWWA <br />recommends less than 10 percent) and monitor unaccounted-for water <br />volumes each month or billing period. Water audit, leak detectiot3, and <br />repair programs should be implemented when unaccounted-for water <br />is higher than the goal. <br /> <br />Regulation <br /> <br />Please be aware that Minnesota Statutes 103G.291 reqt3ire public <br />water suppliers to adopt and enforce water use restrictions when the <br />governor declares a critical water deficiency. The restrictions must <br />limit sprinkling lawns, washing vehicles, irrigating golf courses and <br />parks, and other nonessential uses and have appropriate penalties for <br />failure to comply with restrictions. <br /> <br />Regulations and ordinances can be used to encourage the use of best <br />management practices for improving water use efficiencies. Limits on <br />time of day lawn watering, installation of rain detection devices on <br />automatic sprinkler systems, and enactment o f water wasting <br />ordinances are a few examples of ways to encourage improvements in <br />water use efficiencies. Please contact the DNR if you have questions <br />regarding examples of ordinances that could be used to address a <br />specific situation. <br /> <br />Retrofitting <br /> <br />Data from the AWWA indicate that water use could be reduced as <br />much as 33.5 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) by using water- <br />efficient toilets, showerheads, and faucets that meet federal <br />manufacturing standards. The water, wastewater, and energy benefits <br />from replacing inefficient water fixtures should be part of a public <br />education program. It is recommended that communities develop a <br />long-term plan to retrofit public buildings. Retrofitting of public <br />buildings will help promote educational efforts as well as demonstrate <br />fiscal and environmental responsibility. <br /> <br />Certain electric and gas providers are required by law (Minnesota <br />$_tatute~s_.2_ 16B.~41) to fund programs that will conserve energy <br />resources. Electric and gas utilities have distributed new water- <br />efficient showerheads to customers to help reduce energy demands <br />required to supply hot water. You may want to contact local electric or' <br />gas suppliers to see if they are interested in developing a showerhead <br />distribution program for customers in your service area. <br /> <br />Please contact Jim Japs (651) 297-2835 or your area hydrologist if you <br />have questions regarding conservation measures for water supply <br />systems. <br /> <br /> 21 <br />http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt-secti~n/appr~priati~ns/pwsc~nserve.htm~ 1/12/2006 <br /> <br /> <br />