The city said Bloomington is now classified in moderate drought as of July 30, with conditions monitored jointly by the city, the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota DNR. One of Bloomington's drinking water sources, the Mississippi Headwaters, is faring worse — it's currently in severe drought, according to the city.
There are no formal watering restrictions in place yet, but the city warned that could change: if conditions worsen, it will implement measures to reduce water consumption, including outdoor watering limits.
For now, the ask is voluntary. Outside, the city recommends watering lawns during cooler parts of the day, applying no more than one inch of water a week and only when the lawn actually needs it, checking hoses and sprinklers for leaks, and hand-watering plants instead of running an automatic system.
Indoors, the city's list is the usual suspects: install low-flow fixtures, take showers instead of baths, shut off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving, skip pre-rinsing dishes and only run the dishwasher when it's full, fix leaking toilets, and wait for a full load before running the washing machine.
The broader picture backs up the city's caution.
Residents with questions can reach the city's Utilities Division at 952-563-8777 or [email protected].