Water Conservation in the City of Ramsey

Abstract

This project was completed as part of the 2017-2018 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Ramsey. The City of Ramsey is located on the Anoka Sand Plain, with soils that retain little water. When residents water their lawns, much of the water quickly drains from their yard, requiring them to use more water than the average homeowner would to maintain turf and landscape plantings. This increased rate of water use is taxing the local aquifer, and could lead to the City running out of water in the near future, especially as the population--and demand for water--continue to grow. Students in SUST 4004: Sustainable Communities, taught by Amir Nadav, investigated how other communities have gone about encouraging residents to participate in water conservation efforts. The students interviewed relevant stakeholders, and produced case studies and an accompanying list of best practices. The students’ final report and poster are available.