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Planning Commission Minutes July s, Zoos Page 7 and on disturbed areas of larger lots, and then tilled into the upper 8 inches of grade. Also, the specifications require a minimum and maximum percentage of the topsoil mix to be of sand, clay, silt and organic material (NII~TDOT Specification 3877 "Select Topsoil"). NLr. Barnhart stated that the purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the amount of water consumed by watering lawns. He stated that staff has no concern with trying to conserve water, but they are concerned with the ordinance's effectiveness, enforceability, and cost to homeowners. Bryan Adams, Elk River Municipal Utilities General Manager -provided the following information regarding water usage in Elk River: • 30,000,000 - 35,000,000 gallons used per month in the winter months • Up to 160,000,000 gallons per month in the summer • 400,000,000 gallons per year used for lawn watering • 1.25 - 1.50 million gallons used per day in the winter • 6- 7 million gallons used per day in the summer • 900 million gallons a year is Elk River's total usage He stated that the concern for the future is whether or not we will have the quality and quantity of water needed. Mr. Adams explained that Elk River's water is obtained from the Mount Simon Aquifer near Hinckley. He noted that more water is being taken out and not enough is going back in. Mr. Adams stated that The Mount Simon is the only one of the series of 3 - 4 aquifers in the area that is not contaminated, causing more and more suburbs to access the Mount Simon aquifer. He explained that summer water usage lowers the level 30 - 40 feet and usually comes back to normal level in the fall. He stated that their concern is when the level does not come back. Also, drift wells 40-60 feet deep are more susceptible to contamination. Mr. Adams reviewed the history of Elk River's geology, and its impact on Elk River's water supply. He noted that the aquifer is 20 - 30 feet in deep in western Elk River, compared to 100 - 150 feet deep in eastern part of the city, because it sits on the edge of an old sea. Mr. Adams stated that one-third of the capacity of the newly constructed wells is consumed by GRE's new peaking plant and the two new data centers. He explained that measures have been taken to reduce water usage such as education, requiring well head protection, watering bans, low flow shower heads and toilets, and rain sensors for irrigation. He noted that it has been proven that watering bans actually increase water usage, because people tend to water on the allowed days, whether they need to or not. He stated that they have implemented tiered fees so that the more water that is used, the higher the per gallon the rate will be. Mr. Adams explained that use of drought-tolerant grass and use of black dirt to retain moisture are ways to conserve water. He noted that requiring commercial properties to irrigate landscaping contributes to the higher water usage in the summer months. Mr. Adams stated that he gave a presentation to a townhome owners association. Many townhome associations use 1,000,000 gallons a month for irrigation. The average household uses 40,000 -50,000 gallons a month in the summer. That is why he is pushing for approval of this ordinance. He stated that most communities have a policy requiring topsoil, but he is suggesting the requirement for tilling to make the topsoil more effective.