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Water-Saving Strategies for Home Lawns In Minnesota,water use in home landscapes is a of this article on`Auditing Home Lawn Irrigation concern,primarily during summer when much water used Systems.' outdoors can evaporate quickly.As urbanization increases • Rain sensors and and we experience more drought,pressure on our water smart irrigation resources increases. If you own an irrigation system or controllers can water your lawn with portable sprinklers,here are some help conserve water-saving tips to reduce water use. water.Soil • Adjust lawn irrigation practices during Minnesota's moisture sensors ever-changing weather patterns.Instead of relying on can prevent automated systems,manually operate controllers and watering when water your lawn only when it shows signs of drought. the soil is already • Choose grass species that need less water and can moist.These Proper installation of a rain withstand devices can sensor on a structure drought. In be purchased g Minnesota, for$150 or less.Many local governments offer up fescue species to$250 rebates for installing these water-saving such as fine technologies. fescue and tall • Proper lawn maintenance can reduce irrigation fescue offer the needs.Maintain a high mowing height (three inches best drought or more),use appropriate fertilizers and aerate the tolerance,with lawn,followed by top-dressing with quality compost. fine fescues Research at the University These practices can improve soil quality,decrease using less water of Minnesota has identified soil compaction and increase water infiltration and and tall fescues fescues as the most drought moisture retention. having a deep tolerant for lawns • Recycling water for irrigation requires proper design root system to access more moisture. of water storage containment and separate pumps to • Water your lawn infrequently but with sufficient supply water to sprinklers. Professional contractors water to wet soils to a depth of six inches.Depending have designed these systems for large buildings and on your soil type,your lawn may only need as little as sports turf.A homeowner option is to purchase rain a half-inch of water.Water during the morning hours barrels to reuse rainwater for landscape plants. for better soil absorption. • Consider adjusting lawn expectations to tolerate • To conserve water,audit your irrigation system. temporary discoloration during drought periods. Contractors can perform this service for you. Extended droughts that damage lawns are rare. The three basic steps include checking system • Design water-wise landscapes by choosing drought- components,conducting a performance test and tolerant plants,mulching garden beds,and retaining programming the controller.Visit the link at the end water on-site with rain barrels,rain gardens and planted slopes. More information is available at www extension.umn. edu/turfgrass,www.turf.umn.edu or https://extension. �• �, r umn.edu/lawn-care/auditing-home-lawn-irrigation- C, t�y ofpRamsey Consume systems. Coo nfi d e n ce Water Report Ramsey homeowners who have City sewer and water r pay a base rate for services and water that is under 15,000 The Consumer Confidence Water Report is gallons per quarter.If you decide to water your lawn available at wwwcityoframseycom/229. daily,dismissing the odd/even sprinkling restrictions A paper copy of this report is available upon that the City recommends,you could pay upwards of request. For more information,contact Utilities $700 or more for one-quarter of utilities.Homeowners Supervisor John Nelson at 763-433-9861 or who follow the odd/even restrictions will have a more jnelson@cityoframsey.com. manageable bill for the summer months.