ST. PAUL - The Town of St. Paul is requesting residents be cautious about their water use this week as the region continues to be in an extreme heat warning. The municipality has seen a significant increase in water consumption as people combat the high temperatures looking for ways to cool down and battle back against the intense drying conditions.
“We continue to watch water levels. As long as we can replenish at the same rate as water is used, I would say things will stay the same,” CAO Kim Heyman said Wednesday.
“Water comes from Lac St. Cyr, which in turn is replenished from the river. It goes from the lake to the water plant where it is treated to make it safe to drink and then goes into the distribution system. We have increased the volume of water coming into the plant to compensate for the extra water being used.”
Heyman said the Town fully understands that in the extreme heat the community has been experiencing this week people require more water. As long as the Town can maintain a sufficient water level, water restrictions will not be imposed.
Meanwhile, the Town took a little heat from residents who spotted sprinklers working on the soccer fields mid-morning yesterday.
The Town responded to concerns through social media, noting: “The Town of St. Paul has heard some concerns over individuals seeing the soccer fields being watered after it was advised to be mindful of water consumption. The soccer fields are being watered using non-potable water from the nearby slough though an irrigation system. And while it’s recognized that this is not an ideal time of day to water, we simply do not have the staff to carry out this operation in the evenings.”
Meanwhile, the County of St. Paul issued a voluntary water restriction for the general public tapping into the county’s waterlines on Monday.
“The restriction is expected to last until the heat warning for the region is lifted. Extreme hot weather and dry conditions are causing increased demand on the water supply system. This voluntary water restriction requires customers to reduce non-essential water use, such as the watering of lawns.”
Splash parks at Lagasse Park in St. Paul and at Westcove in the County remain open, which comes as a relief to people of all ages attempting to escape the heat.
