Duluth Area Residents, Businesses Asked To Conserve Water

Residents and businesses in Duluth-area communities, including places like Hermantown and Proctor, are being urged by state and local officials to conserve water right now.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local officials, including those with the City of Duluth and other local municipalities in the Twin Ports area, say this is because of urgent drought conditions right now.

Officials with the Minnesota DNR say the Western Lake Superior watershed, which includes places like Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, and Rice Lake, has entered the "drought warning response phase".

During this response phase, state and local officials say water conservation measures are "especially important" right now, with water resources being stressed during this drought period.

Officials urge residents and businesses to adopt water conservation measures both inside their homes and businesses and outside.

Provided tips from the City of Duluth for indoor water conservation include:

Fix running and/or leaking toilets
Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth
Take showers instead of baths. Low-flow showerheads save more water
Only run full loads of laundry and use correct water level settings on your machine
Run the dishwasher only when it is full
Use water-efficient appliances

Outdoor water conservation tips include:

Water grass only as needed, only between 6 pm and 9 pm: Officials say most lawns only need 1” of water per week. Watering in the evening helps for better water absorption and less evaporation.
Mulch trees & plants: Mulch helps prevent water evaporation and also helps prevent some weed growth.
Leave grass clippings in place: Grass clippings provide additional cover for the soil, helping keep it from drying out as quickly.
Let lawns grow longer: Let grass stay longer than normal, which can help prevent premature drying.
Inspect for leaks: Just like inside your home or business, leaks in hoses, pipes, couplings, or sprinklers are a significant source of wasted water.
Invest in a rain barrel: Water collected in rain barrels can be used for watering flower gardens and/or lawns.
Wash vehicles less frequently: This is an obvious way to cut down on water use. When you do wash your car, turn the water off when not using the hose.

While the City of Duluth says the city's drinking water supply comes from Lake Superior and not from groundwater, conservation efforts are still important during drought response times like these to preserve natural resources against drought impacts.

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Similarly, drinking water in nearby towns like Hermantown, Proctor, and Rice Lake also comes from the City of Duluth's connection to Lake Superior. While officials call Lake Superior a "large and reliable source", they still emphasize the importance of conservation, particularly during times of drought.