The City of Ramsey’s Environmental Policy Board developed the Water Conservation Tool Box.
Ramsey is located on the Anoka Sand Plain and, as the name implies, is dominated by sandy soils. Sandy soils have low water-holding capacity, so water used to irrigate yards quickly moves through the soil and out of the root zone area. Summer lawn watering in Ramsey almost triples water use to over five million gallons per day, making Ramsey one of the largest users of non-consumptive water in the metro.
Demand for Water
As Ramsey’s population continues to grow, the demand for water will also grow. Ramsey’s population is forecasted to increase by roughly 12,000 by 2020, putting tremendous pressure on the groundwater supply or aquifer. As water demand continues to rise, the aquifer, our current source of drinking water, will be depleted more and more. While precipitation replenishes groundwater, activities such as pumping (wells), increasing impervious surfaces (roads, rooftops, driveways, etc.), and climate change alter recharge rates, potentially diminishing aquifer recharge. View information on groundwater replenishment (PDF).
About Groundwater
Groundwater provides a drinking water source and maintains stream flow, lake levels and wetlands. Searching for and identifying ways to maintain and replenish groundwater supplies is extremely important. As the water demand grows, Ramsey will start looking at alternative water sources and may need to explore using water from the Mississippi River for its domestic water supply. Visit the Minnesota DNR website for more information on groundwater.
The average Minnesota resident uses about 100 gallons per person per day. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers many ways to save water in your home, including toilets, showers, clothes washing, faucets, and leaky pipes.