Ramsey Resident - 2004 - May/June

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12 DRINKING W ATERARTICLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 WATER STORAGE A number of factors dictate the total volume of storage required for a community. Key factors include fire flow capacity, emergency storage, daily peal( use, and water supply and pumping capacity. Storage needs for Ramsey are met by its two elevated tanks (water towers) which together contain 2 million gallons. WATER CONSERVATION Conserving water is a very important goal for all concerned. The need for production capacity (wells) and storage (towers) is driven by not just normal water use, but by peak period demand for water. This is almost always in the evening of summer days when homeowners are going about their usual activity plus irrigating. Fifty percent of all water produced by Ramsey's water utility during the entire year is for irrigation during the growing season! It is for this reason that Ramsey must maintain the odd/even watering restriction. If you have an automatic system, the best time for irrigating is from 4:00 to 8:00 a.m. This time does not coincide with the peak water use period. In addition, less water is lost due to lower temperatures, less direct sunlight and lower wind speeds which evaporate atomized water particles. Also, because wind velocities are usually lower, water distribution is often improved. Watering in the evening should be avoided for all reasons, including the fact that it can favor the development or growth of turf grass diseases. FLUSHING Each April and October, the water department flushes every segment of water main and checl(s all hydrants for operation. Flushing the watermains creates a high velocity of water movement, which "scours" any accumulation of iron in the distribution system and discharges it with the water out of the hydrant and onto the street. Several million gallons of water are required each spring and fall in this process SECURITY As indicated, the same water available for fire fighting from hydrants is your drinl(ing water - so if you see anyone other than City personnel using a hydrant, or other suspicious activity, please call the Police at 427 -6812, (after hours 427-1212) or 911. All Ramsey employees who operate the water utility receive bacl(ground checks and are certified by the Minnesota Department of Health. In addition to 24-hour computer monitoring of the system, each day all major water supply components are physically checl(ed and water sampling is performed. Over the course of the year, more than 112 random bacteriological tests are performed throughout the municipal system. ANOKA COUNTY 4- H FUNDRAISERS The Anoka County 4- H program will be holding two fundraisers in May. The plant sale raises funds to offset the cost of our 4- H Arts- In program, the auction supports general 4-H programming. Plant Sale: A large selection and variety of plants will be available: annual bedding plants, hanging plants, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Waldoch Farm Greenhouse in Lino Lakes furnishes the plants. They have offered 4-H the opportunity to sell plants for fundraising purposes. Plants may be purchased at: Anoka County Fairgrounds - 4-H Exhibit Building Friday, May 14th - 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, May 15th - 8:00 am - 1 :00 pm Auction: Last year a wide variety of over 350 items were donated to be sold. If you have any items to donate or if you would like to make a monetary donation, contact the Anoka County Extension Office at 763-755-1280. Auction will be held at: Anoka County Fairgrounds - 4-H Exhibit Building Saturday, May 22nd - Auction begins at 1 p.m. For more information regarding either fundraiser, please contact the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Anoka County at 763-755-1280. Anoka County 4-H is a non- profit organization. RUM RIvER LmRARY Do you have a hobby or collection that you would like to share with others? How about showcasing a community club you belong to? Rum River Library has three locked display cases available for public use on a monthly basis. Examples of recent exhibits include artwork from Wilson Elementary School students, a loon collection, and an exhibit promoting 4-H Clubs. Displays by local artists are always welcome. Items can be displayed on glass shelves, the bulletin board bacl(ing, or a combination of the two. We do ask that the displays not promote commercial interests or a particular political or religious viewpoint. Stop by or call our reference desk with questions or to choose your date. Rum River Library, 4201 6th Avenue, Anoka, 763- 576-4695. I've learned. . . That it s those slnall daily happenings that lnake life so spectacular.