2016-01-05 P & Z Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Philosophical ideas of why the area must Conserve Water and Why the 17% is reasonable - compiled from previous meetings 1. All MN water suppliers, serving over 1,000 people are being asked to conserve water as part of the Water Supply Planning process and as a result of the new demand reduction law. 2. According to the agreement there needs to be a 17%total reduction from the eight year average (down to a 4,539 MGY total for the 13 cities) 3. Each city needs to reduce their annual volume at least 10%. 4. Water conservation is on the right track in the area. Even just maintaining 2014 water use gets us part way to our goal. a. Looking at the Table 1, in 2014 there were four cities that already achieved more than a 17% reduction from their 8 year average water appropriation (Lino Lakes, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Township) b. Five more cities have achieved 10% reductions in 2014 (Circle Pines, Hugo, Mahtomedi, North St. Paul, and White Bear Lake). c. In 2014 three cities saw decline in water appropriations from their 8 year average (Centerville, Columbus and Forest Lake) d. Lexington water use varies considerably from year to year. In 2012, 2019, and 2008 they would have achieved a 10% reduction. 5. Since 1995 the groundwater elevation of the Prairie du Chien aquifer has decreased at an average rate of 3.5" per year (DNR Well data) 6. Overconsumption of groundwater is contributing to a significant decrease in the level of some Twin Cities lakes, including White Bear Lake. Success Stories—Existing Water Efficiency Programs in WBL Area • White Bear Lake (WBL) &Township have distributed faucet aerators using local money and are also doing a variety of conservation education programs. • Reconciliation of water use by auditing water to identify losses and leak detection. • Cooperative energy reduction—these program help to reduce costs;they are not tied to water directly. • Shoreview has included neighbor water use comparisons in water bill and also send out Leak Detection Postcards when they see water running 24 hours/day; however, there have been some user concerns expressed (privacy) • Remote meter reads—consumer awareness • New meters—provide more detailed time/day. Consumers can request the breakdowns of use to identify their peak use times. • Shoreview—they are identifying pilot areas and 400 volunteers to participate in before and after monitoring with technology performance that tracks water use trends and real time use. They can have remote access to bills and usage. This pilot is to determine if consumer use changes as a result of this program. • Race 2 Reduce—Grant program that is providing curriculum for schools (1-120 for Life), residential education and rebates and creating table top displays for events. 6