It’s time to water your lawn to keep it green and healthy, but you don’t want to waste water. So, when is the best time to run your sprinklers and how much is too much, too little, or just right? WHEN TO WATER In our part of the country, research shows the best time to run your sprinkler is from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. when water pressure is high, wind is moderate, and the amount of water lost to evaporation is negligible. Watering early in the morning also reduces the chance of turf diseases. Not a morning person? No problem. Just install an automatic sprinkler system with a timer so you can keep counting sheep while your sprinkler gets the job done. TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE, OR JUST RIGHT? According to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, the amount of water to apply depends on the soil type and its moisture content: On a loamy or silty soil, it’s best to apply around one inch of water once a week. Sandy soil typically requires one-half inch of water twice a week. Apply water slowly to clay soil, or at several different times, to allow time for it to soak in. How long does a sprinkler need to run to apply an inch of water? For the average-size hose, it takes two to three hours. The following is a good way to check the amount of water applied: Place small, straight-sided containers at different intervals in the sprinkling area. Catch the water for an hour. Measure the depth of water with a ruler. Over-watering your lawn can cause shallow roots, nutrient loss, weed growth and other problems. Install a sensor to measure rain levels and use a water gauge. The simplest way to check for over-watering is to use the screwdriver method. If you can insert a screwdriver into the soil easily (about six inches deep), your lawn has enough water.
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) has received its electricity supply from the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) as a member since 2018. ERMU benefits from a diverse mix of energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power. MMPA’s portfolio of renewable resources supports meeting the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and customer demand for renewable energy. The RES requires 25% of MMPA’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2025. Let’s take a closer look! Wind MMPA’s renewable energy portfolio includes wind energy from the Agency’s 44 MW Oak Glen Wind Farm , as well as power output from the 78 MW Black Oak Getty Wind Farm and the 110 MW Walleye Wind Energy Center . In addition, the Agency’s Hometown WindPower program locates wind turbines in our member communities, as well as at MMPA’s Faribault Energy Park. Elk River’s Hometown WindPower turbines can be found at the Plants & Things Recreation Complex. Wind power is one of the fastest growing energy sources worldwide, and it produces no carbon emissions or pollution. Biomass In 2013, MMPA built its 8MW Hometown BioEnergy (HTBE) facility located in the member community of Le Sueur. The facility utilizes anaerobic digestion technology to produce biogas from agricultural and food processing wastes. As one of the largest facilities of its kind in the U.S., HTBE produces dispatchable, renewable electricity, heat, and nutrient-rich byproducts. Solar In 2017, MMPA added the Buffalo Solar facility to its power supply portfolio. The 7 MW utility-scale solar project, located near the Agency’s member community of Buffalo, is comprised of more than 25,000 solar panels. The Agency purchases all of the output of the facility under a long-term contract. In addition, the Agency’s Hometown Solar program locates solar installations in our member communities, as well as at MMPA’s Faribault Energy Park. Elk River’s Hometown Solar array can be found at Elk River City Hall. Hydroelectric Two of MMPA’s member communities, East Grand Forks and Olivia , purchase a portion of their power from the Western Area Power Administration . Because it produces no waste and causes no carbon emissions, hydroelectric power is a sustainable form of energy. HOW POWER GETS TO YOUR HOME
Have you ever wondered who owns what when it comes to your residential or commercial electric and water utility equipment? Knowing what is utility-owned vs. customer-owned is important for proper maintenance and repair. Simply click on the links below to learn more or contact ERMU’s customer service team at 763.441.2020 if you have additional questions. Printable Residential Infrastructure Flyer Printable Commercial Infrastructure Flyer
