08/06/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

ordinances should be done in conjunction with a public education program. Wind and evaporation during midday hours can remove up to 65% of sprinkling water meant for your lawn. 3. New development approvals should minimize large open turf areas and require organic soil augmentation for new turf areas on sandy soils. Many cities require that a minimum of 4" of organic topsoil be placed on sandy soils to slow infiltration. Lino Lakes currently requires a tree for each road frontage, which the DNR recommends. 4. Automated sprinkling systems have increased in popularity and peak demands have also increased with that popularity. Many communities have adopted ordinances that require automated sprinkling systems to have rain sensors installed, which prevent the operation of systems after an adequate amount of precipitation has accumulated. The cost for a typical rain sensor is usually $40 to $100. The savings in water charges from the use of a rain sensor could pay for the rain sensor in the first season. It's estimated that a rain sensor will save 1,225 gallons of water per household on every rainy day. 5. The City Council has authorized a more in depth study to evaluate the water rate structure. The DNR recommends the following: a. Increasing block (rates that increase as consumption increases) rate structures and seasonal surcharges (higher rates during months with peak demands) with a minimum of $0.25 increments. b. Customers that use more water and contribute to peak demands on the system would pay higher water bills. These rate structures provide incentives to use water efficiently and may be appropriate for generating revenue for funding the construction of new wells or treatment facilities that are required that to supply peak demands. Requested Council Direction We are requesting feedback from City Council as we continue to prepare the Water Emergency and Conservation Plan for submittal to the DNR 5 • • •