Skip to main content
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
FollowFollow Focus on Content Focus on Content
Website input:
Help us make our website better. Give us your feedback in a short interview.
Dakota County Logo
  • Maps & Directions
  • |
  • Departments
  • |
  • About Us
  • |
  • Contact Us
Dakota County Logo
  • Government
      • Board of Commissioners
      • County Attorney
      • County Sheriff
      • Commissioner Meetings
      • County Manager
      • Budget & Financial Reports
      • Performance & Analysis
      • Land Use Planning
      • County Policies
      • Data Practices
      • Advisory Committees
      • Other Public Committees & Initiatives
      • Doing Business with the County
      • Information Technology
      • Grant Management
      • Jobs & Volunteering
      • Public Employee Training
      • Other Public Entities
      • Voting & Elections
  • Home & Property
      • Pay Property Taxes
      • Property Tax Statements
      • Property Tax 101
      • Property Tax Programs, Homesteads & Credits
      • Important Dates for Property Owners
      • Assessing Property
      • Recording Property Documents
      • Property Watch
      • Foreclosed Property
      • Tax-Forfeited Property
      • Online Property Maps
      • Online Property Records
      • Homebuyer & Homeowner Programs
      • Aggregate Tax
      • Evictions
      • Plats & Surveys
      • Taxing Districts & Tax Increment Financing
      • Selling Property
      • Maps & Mapping Services
  • Permits & Licenses
      • Service & License Centers
      • Birth Certificates
      • Death Certificates
      • Marriage Licenses & Certificates
      • Passports
      • Driver's License
      • Motor Vehicle Titles & Registration
      • Recreational Vehicle Licenses
      • Game & Fishing Licenses
      • Professional Licenses
      • Gambling Permits
      • Liquor Licenses
      • Cannabis Permits
      • Gun Permits
      • Assembly Licenses
      • Building & Land Use Permits
      • Business Hazardous Waste Licenses
      • Well Permits
      • Waste Hauler & Facilities Licenses
      • Highway Permits
  • Law & Justice
      • Most Wanted
      • Warrants
      • Criminal Complaint Search
      • Report a Crime Tip
      • Crime Prevention
      • Jail
      • Juvenile Detention
      • Crime Victim & Witness Support
      • Alternatives to Court
      • Service of Legal Documents
      • Law Library
      • Contact a Probation Officer
      • Probation & Community Programs
      • Conditions of Probation
      • Probation Fees & Restitution
      • District Courts
      • County Ordinances
      • Fingerprinting Services
      • County Attorney News Releases
      • County Sheriff News Releases
  • Health & Family
      • Healthy Living
      • Job Search Assistance
      • Parenting Help
      • Personal Finance
      • Public Assistance
      • Adult Protection
      • Child Care
      • Child Protection
      • Child Support
      • Adoption
      • Chemical Health
      • Foster Care
      • Mental Health
      • Aging & Disability Services
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Health Services
      • Veterans Services
  • Environment
      • The Recycling Zone
      • Recycling Guide
      • Residential Recycling & Disposal
      • Business Recycling & Disposal
      • School Recycling & Disposal
      • Environmental Education Resources
      • Water Resources
      • Energy
      • Land Conservation
      • Sustainability
      • Environmental Funding
      • Environmental Reports & Studies
      • Report an Environmental Concern
  • Transportation
      • Current Road Construction
      • Planned Road Construction
      • Road Safety
      • Transportation Studies
      • Traffic Counts
      • Getting Around the County
      • Highways & Your Property
      • Transit
      • Contact Transportation
      • Transportation Planning
      • Sales & Use Tax
  • Maps & Directions About Us
    Departments Contact Us
Dakota County Logo
Water Resources
 
Search
  • Home
    • Environment
      • Water Resources
        • Groundwater
          • Pages
            • water-conservation

Contact

Environmental Resources
952-891-7000
environ@co.dakota.mn.us

  • Aquatic Invasive Species
  • Lake Byllesby Dam & Reservoir
  • Shoreland and Floodplain Management
  • Groundwater
    • Groundwater Quality
    • Water ConservationCurrently selected
    • Groundwater Plan
    • Water Watch
    • Irrigation Water Testing
    • Water Wise: Lawn Watering Wisdom
  • Wells & Drinking Water
  • Septic Systems
  • Stormwater
  • Wetlands
  • Cleanup of Contaminated Sites
  • Agriculture
  • Swimming Pools & Recreational Beaches
  • Links & Resources

Water Conservation

Page Content

​​More than 90 percent of Dakota County residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water.  Unfortunately, groundwater is not a never-ending resource, even in a “water rich" state like Minnesota. With continued population growth, which results in increased water demands, the Metropolitan Council estimates that portions of Dakota County may have limited groundwater availability in the next 20 years.

Dakota County experienced extreme rainfalls the past few years, but that rainfall doesn't necessarily recharge the groundwater supply. Much of the rainfall runs off as stormwater into nearby lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Help conserve water

You can help make sure there is enough water for everyone in Dakota County by reducing your water usage — and you'll save money at the same time.

Indoor water saving tips:

  • Replace older toilets with WaterSense-labeled, high-efficiency toilets (save up to 12,500 gallons per year)
  • Replace faucets and showerheads with high-efficiency versions (save up to 1 gallon per minute)
  • Select an Energy Star-approved washing machine (save up to 15–20 gallons per load)
  • Wait until the dishwasher or washing machine is fully loaded before running it (save up to 1,000 gallons per month)
  • Take shorter showers (save up to 2.5 gallons per minute)

Outdoor water saving tips:

  • Let your lawn go dormant during drought conditions.
  • Leave grass clippings when you mow to provide shade for the soil and help prevent evaporation.
  • Plant a native garden that doesn't require watering. Learn how at a Landscapi​ng for Clean ​Wat​er workshop hosted by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Don't water in the heat of the day. Most cities have a watering ban that restricts hours and days of irrigation.
  • Don't overwater your lawn. Lawns only need one inch of rain and irrigation combine per week
  • Replace sprinkler heads with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense-labeled heads and install smart irrigation controllers
  • Position your sprinklers so the water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas

Read more tips to grow a healthy lawn and save water and money on the Metropolitan Council or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources websites.

Water efficiency rebate programs

The Metropolitan Council awarded more than $70,000 to cities in Dakota County to assist with water conservation efforts.  Property owners who purchase and install U.S. EPA WaterSense-certified toilets and irrigation controllers or Energy Star-rated washing machines and dishwashers could be eligible for a rebate or grant. 

The Metropolitan Council allowed each city that received a grant to structure its own water efficiency program. Check to see if your city is offering water efficiency grants:

  • Apple Valley 
  • Burnsville
  • Eag​an
  • Farmin​gton
  • Lake​ville
  • Northfield
  • Rosemount​

​ 

Last updated: 12/2/2024 3:56 PM

Administration Center
  • 1590 Highway 55
  • Hastings, MN 55033
  • Ph: 651-437-3191
  • Toll free: 800-247-1056
  •  
  • See all County buildings
    Social Media
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Next Door
  • Sign up for E-News
    Quick Links
  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Language Translation
  • Job Opportunities
  • Make a Payment
  • Privacy Policy
Dakota County, Minnesota
Sign In