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City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan GEMLK 140643 Page 80 In addition, an educational program should be set up to promote water conservation measures within the City of Gem Lake. Although each residence and business has its own private well, it would be beneficial to the community to have some type of water conservation program in order to maximize groundwater supply. It would be difficult for the City to impose water conservation regulations on properties with private wells. However, an educational program could recommend voluntary water conservation measures to property owners. Space in the city newsletter could be devoted to describing and/or recommending water saving techniques, devices and appliances (i.e., how to cut down on water use, the best and worst times to use water outdoors, etc.). The educational program could emphasize the value and importance of conserving water, regardless of whether or not the City has municipal water. An emergency preparedness/contingency plan should also be considered by the City. Again, although the City of Gem Lake does not have a public water supply, it may be in the City’s best interest to be prepared in case of an emergency. One option would be to adopt the emergency plan and consider policies of the water supplier. The City should make arrangements with the adjacent neighboring communities to obtain water from them for its citizens in case the groundwater supply ever becomes contaminated. The City should also have a list of contacts available in case of an emergency. It would also be helpful to make available to residents, steps that should be taken in case of contamination to an individual’s water supply. 8.6 Water Supply Policies The following policies have been established by the municipal government of Gem Lake with regard to the water supply for the citizens and businesses of the community: 1. The possibility of developing a centralized water distribution system within Gem Lake will be considered. The system might either be developed based on a well supply within Gem Lake or by attachments to the Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake or White Bear Township systems. 2. Water service should be extended to each targeted area at the same time and in the same priorities as the sanitary sewerage service, in order to minimize street reconstruction and traffic disruption. 3. The possibility of connecting only the commercial area of Gem Lake to the Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, or White Bear Township water distribution systems will be explored. 4. The adoption of a mandatory water quality testing program for private wells will be considered. 5. An educational program promoting water conservation measures within the City of Gem Lake will be developed. 6. An emergency preparedness plan with regard to the water supply will be developed, or the City will adopt the policy of the water supplier.