3.5 Water Softner Ordinance
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING
DEPARTMENT
REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Utilities Utility Manager Neidermeier November 8, 2021
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty
City Planner Licht
Building Official Geske
City Attorney Kendall
3.5 – Water Softener
Ordinance
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative
communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and
expectations in a cost-effective manner.
Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff is recommending adoption of an ordinance implementing requirements for water softeners.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
An ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 1 of the City code is being recommended by City staff for
new water softener installations to require higher water and salt efficiencies.
The Building Code does not include these efficiency standards. As such, the City cannot require installation
of a water softener in all buildings connected to City water systems. However, chloride influences within
waste streams impact the Wastewater Treatment Facility effluent standards set by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency and these proposed requirements improve salty discharges to assist in meeting permit
limits. Additionally, on demand softeners provide for regeneration based on volume as an alternate to a
time of day, which generally is too frequent.
Adherence to these limits allows the City to require that water softener meet performance standards
established by the City. The Public Works Subcommittee discussed the proposed ordinance at their
meeting on October 20, recommending approval.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Ordinance 2021-23
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-23 amending the City Code related to water softeners.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
N/A
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ORDINANCE NO.: 2021-23
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE RELATED TO WATER SOFTENERS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 8-2-1 of the City Code (Water Use and Service) is hereby amended to add the
following provisions:
8-2-1-3: WATER SOFTENERS: Installation of devices or systems used to soften water by ion-
exchange using salt, herein referred to as a water softener, installed after January 1, 2022 shall comply
with the following performance standards:
A. Water softeners shall be rated to have a minimum salt efficiency of four thousand (4,000) grains
of hardness removed per pound of salt used.
B. Water softeners that estimate water usage based on time shall be prohibited and shall only
regenerate on demand.
C. All water softeners and conditioning systems shall be approved and inspected by the City of
Otsego for compliance with this section and the City Code.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
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MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 8th day of November, 2021.
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY:_____________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:______________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk