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5 Emerging Environmental Issues Facing Shoreview The Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) believes the Shoreview City Council should be aware of three emerging environmental issues facing the city. While the EQC will continue to work on educating ourselves and our fellow residents, there are policy aspects that will need to be addressed by the Council. The EQC will continue to work to identify ways the city can address these issues as well as continue to educate and inform residents and businesses of steps they can take to mitigate these issues. 1. Water Quantity and Quality The City of Shoreview is fortunate to have an abundance of beautiful, clean lakes which are a critical component to the City’s quality of life. Our lakes are important not only for human recreation, but they provide critical wildlife habitat as well. Aquifer depletion is a major concern in the Twin Cities Metro Area, and Shoreview area water consumption from the Jordan Aquifer is unsustainable. The EQC commends the City for instituting water conservation improvements including odd/even watering days and tiered water rates, greywater reuse at the Public Works garage, and the use of porous concrete and pave drain roadways. Additional changes must be implemented to reduce water consumption to slow depletion and avoid higher costs for residents. The EQC recognizes the need to reduce the use of groundwater and surface water. Efforts must be made to provide Shoreview residents with ways to be more water conscious specifically when it comes to lawn care which is the highest area of water consumption on residential properties. We recommend the City consider additional methods to encourage water conservation. The EQC respectfully offers the following action items for the City Council to consider:  Consider time-based restrictions on residential lawn water use for mid-day watering from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Encourage residents to reduce water consumption by offering incentives or grants for installing low flow shower heads and toilets and for installing moisture sensors on irrigation systems.  Request that developers use landscaping that requires less irrigation and promote more native plantings on new developments.