FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 25, 2007
CONTACT: Tony Benson
Communications Coordinator
507-280-1534
tbenson@rpu.org

City Water Usage Nears Record High

ROCHESTER, MN--- As water usage throughout the city of Rochester continues to steadily climb due to the warm, dry weather; RPU is nearing its all-time water peak pumpage of 29.8 million gallons set back in July 2005.

RPU has continued to upgrade and improve the infrastructure of the city water system to ensure that water will be readily available to RPU customers. This spring a new well was placed in service to provide the southeast part of Rochester an additional two million gallons per day of water and two existing wells were also redeveloped, which increased the water supply to northwest Rochester by another one million gallons per day approximately.

RPU water rates continue to be among the lowest in the state and the region, but we still encourage wise water usage to ensure that there continues to be an adequate supply of water.

RPU offers the following tips to help customers use water wisely:

1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. If it springs back up when you step on it, it does not need any water. If it stays flat, turn on the sprinkler.
2. When you do water your lawn, deep soak it. Water long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots. A light sprinkling tends to evaporate quickly and can encourage shallow root systems.
3. If you have an established lawn, minimize watering. If you have new sod, continue to water, but do so in the early morning hours.
4. Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning waterings are generally better than dusk since they help prevent the growth of fungus.
5. Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas or in your gutters. Also, try not to water when it’s windy.

For more information on RPU’s water system or wise water usage, visit www.rpu.org.

About Rochester Public Utilities

As the municipal utility of Rochester, Minn., for more than 110 years, RPU provides high-quality and reliable electricity to over 45,000 customers. Water customers number more than 34,000. RPU continually investigates innovative technologies to help customers realize the best value from the services they receive. Current initiatives include fuel cell research, wind power, and photovoltaic offerings.

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