Title
Approving an emergency ordinance schedule of penalties for non-compliance of outdoor watering restrictions. (Emergency ordinances only require one reading for a final vote to be taken.)
Body
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 (the “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, as stated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Drought Plan, all public water suppliers using the Mississippi River must implement water use reduction measures if drawing water from an area that is in Extreme or Exceptional Drought; and
WHEREAS, restrictions on water use including, but not limited to, outdoor 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 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ water appropriations permit; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Saint Paul, at its meeting of July 11, 2023, approved Resolution No. 23-1047 adopting the following restrictions for all its customers within its water system service area:
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 n...
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