Water Conservation

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Water Efficiency Rebate Program

Plymouth’s water begins in the subterranean bedrock layer know as the Prairie du Chein-Jordan aquifer. Water seeps through the layers of sandstone and dolomite to reach the 16 wells that supply water to most residents and businesses in Plymouth. From the wells, the water is taken to one of two water treatment plants operated by the city where the water is filtered and treated to reach the stringent standards for drinking water. It is then stored in several water towers and reservoirs.

Plymouth’s water is abundant, but it is not limitless. It is also not cheap. That’s why it’s important to take steps to smooth out the peak uses in the summer and conserve water all year long. That will ensure that the existing system will deliver reliable and affordable water for years to come.

Learn more about saving water – take the WaterSense Quiz (PDF).

Water Usage in Plymouth

Conserve Water Indoors

Saving water around the home is simple and smart. The average Plymouth household spends $360 each year on its water and sewer bill. New home construction uses many newer water efficient fixtures and water-saving practices and has helped to drive down the annual per capita water demand. Homeowners in a position to upgrade to more water efficient fixtures and water-saving practices could benefit in a similar way by saving up to $120 annually.

Simple Steps to Save Water Indoors include:

In the Bathroom

Check for a leaky toilets, dripping faucets, and dripping showerheads
Turn water off while brushing teeth to save 3 gallons per day

In the Kitchen

Use the sink spray tab to rinse dishes and vegetables
Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the water run until it is cool
Do not use water to defrost frozen foods; thaw in the refrigerator overnight
Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes when possible
Place fruit and vegetable waste in a compost bin rather than disposal

In the Laundry Room

Wash only full loads of laundry
Adjust the water level for the size of the load

Take the water conservation calculator challenge: home-water-works.org

Conserve Water Outdoors

Though Minnesota is known for it's abundance of lakes, water conservation is still essential to protecting Plymouth's underground water resources.

Lawn watering and other outdoor water usage during summer months can double or sometimes triple typical water consumption in Plymouth and other area metropolitan suburbs. For example, Plymouth’s water consumption can go from around 150 millions gallons per month in February to more than 430 millions per month in July or August.

Outdoor Water Restrictions

To conserve water and address Department of Natural Resources requirements, Plymouth has annual restrictions on outdoor water use in effect from May 1 through Sept. 30 for city water customers. Plymouth follows an odd/even lawn watering schedule and outright prohibits outdoor lawn watering from noon to 5 p.m. on all days, with some exceptions.

Tips to Reduce Outdoor Lawn Watering

The following are tips to help residents reduce outdoor lawn watering:

Utilize drought-resistant plants
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting (2½ to 3 inches) to encourage deeper root growth and shade the soil
Direct downspouts toward shrubs, lawn, trees, or gardens
Utilize a rain barrel
Water early in the day
Monitor and maintain irrigation system for leaks and spray patterns
Water your lawn when it needs it, rather than on a fixed schedule, by using a WiFi connected controller that utilizes local weather data to determine sprinkling times
Avoid watering on windy days whenever possible
Visit home-water-works.org to take the water conservation calculator challenge

Growing a Healthy Lawn with Less Water (Recorded Webinars)

The Metropolitan Council and the University of Minnesota Turfgrass Science group partnered to hold a webinar series called "Watering Wisdom: Growing a Healthy Lawn with Less Water." The series, produced in summer 2020, was recorded and made available to watch.

City of Plymouth, MN

STAY CONNECTED

Water Conservation

In the Bathroom

In the Kitchen

In the Laundry Room

Outdoor Water Restrictions

Tips to Reduce Outdoor Lawn Watering

Webinar No.1: Outdoor Water Use

Webinar No. 2: Learning to Control Your Irrigation Controller

Webinar No. 3: Turfgrass Species for Low-Input Minnesota Lawns

Webinar No. 4: Lawn Care Best Management Practices