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Pertaining to the Saint Paul Regional Water Services drought response plan authorizing the implementation of water use restrictions and related penalties for noncompliance.
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WHEREAS, Minnesota is experiencing drought conditions causing significant decrease in the volume of water flowing through the Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul (“Board”) derives most of its water supply from the Mississippi River and such intake may contribute to reducing the water levels of the river; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Board’s water appropriation permit from the State of Minnesota, it is required to implement conservation measures during certain drought conditions; and
WHEREAS, restrictions on water use including, but not limited to, outside watering bans may be necessary to assure the safety and wellbeing of the residents within the Board’s water system service area and to maintain compliance with its water appropriations permit; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul hereby establishes the following restrictions for all its customers within its water system service area as follows:
1) If flow of the Mississippi River at Brooklyn Center, MN reaches the Drought Warning Phase as defined in the State of Minnesota’s Statewide Drought Plan
a) Outside watering limited to alternate days.
i) If your address ends with an even number, irrigation is allowed on even numbered days.
ii) If your address ends with an odd number, irrigation is allowed on odd numbered days.
b) Outside watering is prohibited between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.
c) Outside watering is limited to two hours.
2) If the above measures are not resulting in adequate progress towards defined goals in the Drought Warning Phase or if flow of the Mississippi River at Brooklyn Center, MN reaches the Drought Restrictive Phase as defined in the State of Minnesota’s Statewide Drought Plan
a) Outside watering limited to one day per week
i) If your address ends with 0 or 1, irrigation is allowed only on Mondays.
ii) If your address ends with 2 or 3, irrigation is allowed only on Tuesdays.
iii) If your address ends with 4 or 5, irrigation is allowed only on Wednesdays.
iv) If your address ends with 6 or 7, irrigation is allowed on Thursdays.
v) If your address ends with 8 or 9, irrigation is allowed on Fridays.
b) Outside watering is prohibited between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm.
c) Outside watering is limited to two hours.
3) If flow of the Mississippi River at Brooklyn Center, MN reaches the Emergency Phase as defined in the State of Minnesota’s Statewide Drought Plan, a total ban of outside water use will be implemented.
4) Customers will be notified when these restrictions are in effect and of any changes using a variety of outlets to include news releases, social media posts, and city website updates. Penalties for violations may begin 72 hours after restrictions or changes go into effect to allow time for notification.
5) An exception for these restrictions is granted for vegetable gardens, commercial nurseries, community gardens, trees, and the watering of new sod or seed up to one month after installation, but only between the hours of 6:00 pm and 10:00 am CDT.
6) Other exceptions for uses that promote public safety and public health may be granted by the Board’s Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ General Manager or their designated representative. Exception requests must be submitted to the Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ Customer Service team through email: waterinquiries@ci.stpaul.mn.us <mailto:waterinquiries@ci.stpaul.mn.us> or by phone: 651-266-6350.
7) The customer is responsible for complying with these restrictions. Those who violate any of these restrictions will be subject to the following penalties:
a) First violation - Educational notice
b) Second violation - Written warning
c) Third violation - $50.00
d) Fourth violation - $100.00
e) Fifth and all additional violations - $150.00 plus water shut off to the property
8) Fines for non-compliance will be applied to the customer’s regular water bill.
and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Water Commissioners hereby requests that the honorable councils of each of the municipalities within its water system service area act expeditiously and by whatever lawful means necessary to support the implementation of these restrictions and associated penalties; and, be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Board of Water Commissioners, acting through its Saint Paul Regional Water Services’ General Manager, may terminate these restrictions at any time once the State of Minnesota determines that drought conditions are no longer applicable.