DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Recognition Of 2024 Dakota County Water Wise Challenge Winner
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Recognize the Dakota County city with the most residents participating in the 2024 Dakota County Water Wise Challenge.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 24-144 (March 26, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners issued a Water Wise Challenge (Challenge) to all Dakota County cities to be held from May to August 2024. The purpose was to encourage residents to take action to reduce water usage through a friendly challenge. Residents could participate by taking an online Water Wise Pledge (Pledge), committing to take one or more measurable actions to reduce water usage through their daily habits.
The city with the most residents to participate in the Pledge will be recognized by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and will receive a Digital 2024 Water Wise Challenge Winner Badge to utilize on their government websites (Attachment: Digital 2024 Water Wise Challenge Winner Badge).
Through the Challenge and Pledge website, (<https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/Groundwater/Pages/water-wise-challenge.aspx>) residents learned simple ways to reduce water usage both inside and outside their homes. A total of 111 residents participated in the challenge, pledging to reduce 3.4 million gallons of water. A breakdown per participating city is provided below:
|
City |
Number of Participants |
Gallons of Water Pledged |
|
Apple Valley |
11 |
323,180 |
|
Burnsville |
5 |
133,100 |
|
Eagan |
23 |
693,420 |
|
Farmington |
4 |
113,080 |
|
Hastings |
12 |
361,380 |
|
Inver Grove Heights |
3 |
51,840 |
|
Lakeville |
12 |
428,900 |
|
Mendota Heights |
17 |
658,080 |
|
Rosemount |
9 |
293,960 |
|
South St. Paul |
5 |
93,240 |
|
West St. Paul |
8 |
219,100 |
|
Private Well Owners |
2 |
38,000 |
Minnesota experienced significant drought conditions each year since 2021. With less than half the average snowfall across much of the state and extraordinarily warm temperatures, drought conditions persisted through the winter of 2023-2024. In March 2024, Dakota County was either in abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. However, spring and summer rains have significantly improved conditions resulting in one of the wettest years on record (Attachment: 2024 Drought and Precipitation Comparisons).
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the 2024 Water Wise Challenge Winner Badge go to the City of Eagan for the most participants, and the City of Mendota Heights for the most participants based on population.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners issued a Water Wise Challenge (Challenge) to all Dakota County cities to be held from May to August 2024; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Challenge was to encourage residents to take the Water Wise Pledge (Pledge), committing to take one or more measurable actions to reduce water usage through their daily habits; and
WHEREAS, the city with the most residents to participate in the Pledge will be recognized by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and will receive a Digital 2024 Water Wise Challenge Winner Badge; and
WHEREAS, a total of 111 residents from 11 cities participated in the challenge, pledging to reduce 3.4 million gallons of water.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes the City of Eagan and City of Mendota Heights for being the 2024 Dakota County Water Wise Challenge Winners.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-144; 3/26/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Digital 2024 Water Wise Challenge Winner Badge
Attachment: 2024 Drought and Precipitation Comparisons
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Valerie Neppl