Item Description:
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Commitment to establish a water use baseline and design strategies - Offered by Commissioner Goettel
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, Hennepin County has committed to stringent climate action goals to reduce our carbon, water, and waste footprints; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County's first Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2021; and
WHEREAS, climate change is making seasons and precipitation levels less predictable, requiring us to be more mindful of water resources, and more intentional in our water usage as a large municipal government, employer, and enterprise; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County has successfully reduced water usage in its facilities by 45.3% over the last decade; and
WHEREAS, it is important to strive to set ambitious goals in order to further reduce Hennepin’s water usage, in service to our broader climate action goals and responsible stewardship of fiscal resources.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that Hennepin County commits to establish a water use baseline and design strategies to reduce water usage in county facilities by 20% over the next 10 years; to provide consistent and preventative maintenance on water infrastructure; and that where feasible and possible, during projects, and unless it is recycled water, Hennepin County will remove outdated and inefficient systems in county facilities, remove irrigation systems, install grey water systems, and manage stormwater onsite.
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Background:
Facility Services tracks departmental operational water utility bill data including volumetric use and cost data in a manner equivalent to how the county tracks energy utility data. Although water use in county facilities varies greatly by the number of people in the buildings, and temperature/precipitation, Facility Services has successfully implemented a number of water conservation efforts over the last 10 years.
In 2023, Facility Services updated its sustainable landscaping guidelines to make landscapes more resilient and conserve water use across Hennepin County. As the county plans for increased heat and decreased rainfall, Facility Services builds resilience by minimizing irrigation needs and taking advantage of available water on the site. Specific actions include planting drought-tolerant species; harvesting and re-using stormwater; mowing only to 3” or taller; and allowing turf to go dormant.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: No Recommendation