Minneapolis To Enforce Sprinkler Restrictions Amid Drought

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis will begin enforcing even-odd water sprinkling restrictions Wednesday until further notice as severe drought conditions continue to plague the city and the rest of the state.

The sprinkling restrictions aim to reduce demand on the Mississippi River. Other cities in the Twin Cities metro area are likely to announce similar restrictions.

Minneapolis is now under a drought warning, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

"The Mississippi River has reliably provided the City of Minneapolis with drinking water for over 150 years," the city said in a news release. "The City assures the public of its continued ability to produce sufficient quantities of high quality water for its residents and wholesale customers."

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 calendar days that are odd numbers (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 only need 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.

Only wash full loads of laundry.

MN Weather: Heat Index Will Approach 100

Drought conditions will only worsen in Minnesota if the current weather forecast holds. Weather will be "hot and hazy," according to the National Weather Service. Read more here.