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<br />Help Protect Our Most Precious conservation
<br />Resource - Water 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 />agricultural regions in Minnesota are vulnerable to drought, which can affect crop
<br />• ` ' yields and municipal water supplies.
<br />` The Value of Water Systems are in place to provide
<br />Drinking water is a precious you with safe drinking water. We must use our water wisely. Below are some tips to help you and your family
<br />resource, yet we often take it for The state of Minnesota and local conserve — and save money in the process.
<br />water systems work to protect
<br />granted.
<br />s 1 drinking water sources. For • Fix running toilets —they can waste hundred ' r ,'ions of water.
<br />i Throughout history, civilizationsexample, we might work to seal ij • Turn off the tap white shavicg or brushinc . r teeth
<br />have risen and fallen based on an unused well to prevent • Shower instead of bathe. Bathing us� , water than showering, on average.
<br />�. access to a plentiful, safe water contamination of the
<br />supply. That's still the case groundwater. We treat water to
<br />• Only run full loads of laundry. anise• :ne .: -..iviig machine to the correct water
<br />today. Water is key to healthy remove harmful contaminants. level'
<br />1 people and healthy And we do extensive testing to 40
<br />• Only run the dislmsvasher .shen it's full.
<br />communities ensure the safety of drinking / • Use water -efficient ai,i,r , ces (look for the WaterSenv. I,ih, 11.
<br />water • Use water-frienr! iscaping, such as native plants.
<br />Water is also vital to our
<br />economy. We need water for we If detect a problem, we take • When you ri. �r your yard, water slowly, deeply, and less trequently. Water
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<br />manufacturing, agriculture, corrective action and notify the early in t! iming and close t, t I ground.
<br />energy production, and more public Water from a public Learn more
<br />One -fifth of the U S. economy water system like yours is tested • Minnesota Pj ' ,:i -i (Zot•' gencv's Conserving Water webpage (https://
<br />would come to a stop without a more thoroughly and regulated www.pca.state,ii , . g-green/conserving -water)
<br />` reliable and clean source of more closely than water from 40 • U.S. Environmental I r i -)n Agency's WateiSense webpage (https://
<br />water any other source, including www.epa.gov/watersen ,-
<br />t bottled water
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<br />You Can Prevent Pollution
<br />Many of our daily activities contribute to 1, ; elution of Mini,, .- ta's surface water and groundwater. You
<br />�.N can help protect these drinking water j es by taking the following actions:
<br />• Lawn and property:
<br />• Limit use of herbicides, pestiades, and fertilizers on your propr•i I ~'
<br />• Keep sod in place with plants, grass, or rock. f�►
<br />• Cover temporary piles of dirt with a tarp nr burlap sack. •
<br />• Keep i. and gran; off nr streets and : %alks.
<br />• Ma nt -, ii any septic systems, private wells, .w,f st ,rage tanks to prevent leaks. Seal any unused
<br />welt, _��• -�
<br />• G'n i, late medications: Never flush r c. inted or out-of-date medications down the toilet or sink
<br />Alwd} , t , them to a waste disposal r•• : ascription medication drop off site. More information is
<br />availabic %iinagmg unwanted medi ns (www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green/ntanaguig-
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<br />unwanted-i--Ii,tions
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<br />• Hazardous mats,-,i's Safely store i,a:.ndous materials such as paint, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, 4 --
<br />and pool chemicals. C; .p se of tP.,:m at a proper waste disposal facility or drop-off event. Do not
<br />dump down storm drari . 17,1 ,,, onto your land. Learn more at: Keep hazardous waste out of the
<br />garbage (http://www.t)ca. 1 to-mn.tis/featured/keep-hazardous-waste•out-garbage). All, 0A.
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<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.oca.state.mn.us/featured/10-smart-sditing-tips-orotect-
<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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