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<br />Help Protect Our Most Precious
<br />Resource - Water
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<br />The Value of Water
<br />Drinking water is a precious
<br />resource, yet we often take it for
<br />granted
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<br />Throughout history, civilizations
<br />have risen and fallen based on
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<br />access to a plentiful, safe water
<br />supply That's still the case
<br />today. Water is key to healthy
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<br />people and healthy
<br />communities.
<br />Water is also vital to our
<br />economy. We need water for
<br />manufacturing. agriculture,
<br />energy production, and more.
<br />One -fifth of the U S. economy
<br />would come to a stop without a
<br />reliable and clean source of
<br />water.
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<br />Systems are in place to provide
<br />you with safe drinking water.
<br />The state of Minnesota and local
<br />water systems work to protect
<br />Conservation
<br />Conservation is essential, even in the land of 10,000 lakes. For example, in parts of the
<br />metropolitan area, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replaced. Some
<br />agrirultural regions in Minnesota are vulnerable to drought, which can affect crop
<br />yields and municipal water supplies.
<br />We must use our water wisely. Below are some tips to help you and your family
<br />conserve — and save money in the process.
<br />drinking water sources For • Fix running toilets —they can waste hundreds •',ons of water.
<br />example, we might work to seal • Turn off the tap while shaving or brushior, , teeth.
<br />an unused well to prevent • Shower instead of bathe. Bathing us-, water than showering, on average.
<br />contamination of the
<br />groundwater. We treat water to • Only run full loads of laundry, an,l .-,t !ne :. i ,nwi machine to the correct water
<br />remove harmful contaminants. level.
<br />And we do extensive testing to • Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
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<br />ensure the safety of drinking • Use water -efficient a:,r,;' ,Les (look for the WaterSense lab,-11.
<br />water • Use water-frienri , uscaping, such as native plants.
<br />If we detect a problem, we take ! • when you l .•. _r your yard, water slowly, deeply, and less trjtuently. Water
<br />corrective action and notify the early in t° • rnmg and close to I1,i ground.
<br />public. Water from a public Learn more
<br />water systern like yours is tested • Minnesota P , Co", -gency's Conserving Water webpage (https://
<br />more thoroughly and regulated www.pca state it . ,i.,-g-green/con,,ervitig-water)
<br />more closely than water from • U.S. Environmental i- inn Agency's Water Sense webpage (https://
<br />any other source, including t %,ww.epa.gov/watersen,., i
<br />bottled water. v
<br />its • �. � ' .�
<br />You Can Prevent Pollution
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<br />Many of our daily activities contribute to ti-- I,-Alution of Mm • s do's surface water and groundwater. You l
<br />iaa can help protect these drinking water -s by taking the fcl;owutg actions: \
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<br />• Lawn and property: I
<br />• Limit use of herbicides, pe,ir.idi—, and fertihzer, on your propFrry M '•
<br />• Keep soil in place with plants, grass, or rocl,s.
<br />• Cover temporary pit-s of dirt with a tarp or burlap sack. •
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<br />• Keep i ,ir,;s and grass off or streets and sits—%alks. '
<br />• M ;i any septic systems, private wells, and Stxage tanks to prevent leaks Seal any unused
<br />wel! .
<br />Ali
<br />• C late medications: Never flush unwanted or out-of-date medications down the toilet or sink.
<br />Always ' ;, e them to a waste disposal or prescription medication drop-off site. More information is
<br />available at tiaana¢mg unwanted medir_,wuns (www.1)ca.state.mn.us/living-green/managing-
<br />unwanted-wedications j`�'�`,le•'
<br />• Hazardous mate, -als Safely store hazardous materials such as paint, batteries, herbicides, pesticides,
<br />and pool chemicals. Dispose of tliem at a proper waste disposal facility or drop-off event. Do not
<br />dump down storm drains, sinl: or onto your land. Learn more at: Keep hazardous waste out of the
<br />garbage lhtti)://www.pca. , :te.mn.us/featured/keep-hazardous-waste-out-garbaRef.
<br />• Pet waste: Pick up after your pet and put waste in the trash.
<br />• Trash: Seal trash bags and keep litter out of the street.
<br />• Winter ice removal: Chemicals used to break up the ice are called deicers or anti-icers. They can be harmful to the environment, corrosive to
<br />driveways and sidewalks and harmful to plants, pets and humans. Always shovel first, and then only apply deicers/anti-icers lightly if needed -
<br />Learn more at 10 smart salting tips to protect Minnesota waters (https://www.pca.5tate.rnn.ps/featured/10-smart-salting-tips-t)rotect-
<br />minnesota-waters)
<br />• Keep an eye out for car and motor fluids: Seal or repair any fluid leaks that could run off onto streets and into storm drains. Take used motor oil
<br />or other fluids to a neighborhood drop-off site.
<br />• Be a water advocate: Spread the word; get involved. There are many groups and individuals working to protect water across Minnesota.
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