As the drought deepens, the City of Minneapolis has asked citizens to conserve water. Sprinkling restrictions start today. The restrictions are in place until further notice. These restrictions also apply to Columbia Heights, which buys its water from Minneapolis.
Sprinkling restrictions
- Sprinkling lawns is NOT allowed from noon to 6 p.m. on any day.
- On calendar days that are even numbers (examples: July 26 or Aug. 18), the even side of the street CAN sprinkle lawns outside of the noon to 6 p.m. time window. Examples: 1238 Oak St. or 2574 Cedar Ave.
- On odd-numbered days (examples: July 27 or Aug. 19), the odd side of the street CAN sprinkle lawns. Examples: 1247 Maple St. or 2561 18th Ave.
Exceptions
- Bushes and flowers may be watered with a hand-held hose as needed.
- Vegetable gardens and new sod (first two weeks from placement) may be watered on any day but not during the prohibited afternoon hours of noon to 6 p.m.
- Trees may be watered with a dripping hose, bucket or tree watering bag as needed.
Water conservation tips
- Water during the coolest part of the day to avoid evaporation.
- Water grass only when it needs it. Most lawns need only an inch of water a week.
- Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
- Take shorter showers using low flow showerheads instead of baths.
- Turn the faucet off while you shave or brush your teeth.
- Load dishes into the dishwasher without rinsing them.
- Run the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded.
- Fill the sink to wash dishes by hand instead of letting the water run.
- Use a large pan to clean vegetables rather than letting the water run.
- Wash only full loads of laundry.