The City of Maple Plain and many other communities depend on groundwater for their drinking water supply. Increasing demands on the water supply makes groundwater conservation and management a top priority. Reducing water use is critical for protecting the sustainability of the groundwater supply in the future. Furthermore, water conservation today can save you money on your next water bill. The more you conserve, the more you save.

Water Conservation Tips

Outdoor

• Adjust sprinklers so that only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street
• Always water before 11 am and after 5 pm when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass will reduce the loss of water to evaporation
• Do not water your lawn everyday- it's better to water about once a week and provide about one inch of water. This will create healthier and stronger lawns. You can measure one inch by placing a tuna can about six feet away from your sprinkler and waiting for it to fill
• Water only as rapidly as the soil can absorb the water. Water runoff is a huge waste.

Kitchen

• Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full. You could save 1,000 gallons a month.
• If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse dishes
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while your scrape them clean
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of letting the water run until its cool
• Don't run water while you clean vegetables. Just rinse them in a pan or sink of clean water

Bathroom

• When brushing your teeth, never leave tap water running. You'll save four gallons a minute and about 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Check your toilet for leaks. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Fix it and save more than 600 gallons a month.
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushing. Don't use your toilet to flush away tissues, bugs, or other debris that can go in the trash instead.

More information

 100+ ways to Conserve Water 

 MN DNR Water Conservation Page 

MN Pollution Control Agency Website