NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public Utilities Commission received a notice from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) designating a drought warning.

On July 16, water department staff received a notice the DNR determined the state is in the drought warning stage. Approximately 50% of the state is experiencing severe drought and some areas are experiencing extreme drought.

New Ulm Public Utilities (NUPU) director Kris Manderfeld said there are different steps the MN DNR expects utilities to take. The first step is to submit conservation tips to water users. The goal is to reduce water usage. The target is to get usage to 50% above January’s total usage.

The NUPU is using social media and radio/TV to get the word out to our customers to conserve water by supplying them with tips on conservation.

The NUPU is not requiring mandatory water bans or restrictions, but if water utility does not see a decrease in water usage, a more formal plan could be issued.

NUPU is requesting customers to voluntarily limit lawn sprinkling and to practice water conservation at home. No mandatory restrictions are in place at this time, but Manderfeld warned this could change if water usage does not go down.

Any restrictions on lawn sprinkling would likely need to go through the PUC for approval.

Manderfeld said NUPU has been monitoring water usage and only a couple of days have seen water usage go over the recommended limit. She believed restrictions were unlikely, but that could change if usage increases in August.

Manderfeld suggested turning irrigation systems to manual and only using sprinklers in the early morning or evening to prevent evaporation.

Individuals can visit the city’s or DNR website for more conservation tips.

“Even if you do two or three conservation items day could help,” Manderfeld said. “Every drop counts.”

——

The commission passed a resolution for the early retirement of the December 1, 2022 through 2028 payment of the the General Obligation Public Utility Revenue Fund Bonds, Series 2013B. These bonds were originally sold to finance 2013 water utility projects. The interest savings will be more than $85,000 for the remaining life of the bonds.

The commission awarded the Well Field Mound and Access Road restoration project to M.R. Paving & Excavating, Inc. for $497,204.74.

Utility Engineer Dan Pirsig said this was culmination of two years of work to mitigate flood damage from the fall of 2018 and spring of 2019. He said it is mostly maintenance project to protect the well mounds. This will be completely FEMA funded, coming under the budgeted amount.