While drought conditions have resulted in water restrictions for nearly every community in northeastern Illinois, Elgin's water supply has allowed residents the ability to continue unlimited water use with no limitations.
"But residents should start conserving," said Kyla Jacobsen, the City's water system superintendent. "While the oversupply is adequate it is not unlimited."
Jacobsen said that Elgin’s well-designed and operated treatment plant provides residents with the capacity to sustain normal water use during this summer’s dry conditions, but residents shouldn’t take advantage of the City’s water supply.
“Conserving ensures that everyone has water when they need it, it’s good for the environment and it saves money,” said Jacobsen. “And with just a little thought, everyone can preserve Elgin’s water supply.”
Jacobsen recommends the following:
•When watering lawns, water before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Watering during the hottest parts of the day or when it is windy results in water evaporation.
•Water lawns only every three to five days during the summer.
•Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when fully loaded.
•Defrost frozen food in a refrigerator or in a microwave instead of running water over it.
•When washing dishes by hand, use two basins – one for washing and one for rinsing – rather than allowing the water to run.
•Use a broom, rather than a running hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
•Cover swimming pools when not in use. Evaporation will be reduced by 90%
•Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.
“Conserve to preserve,” said Jacobsen. “It’s easy to do when there isn’t a crisis.”