Desplaines Valley water restrictions kick in as summer approaches

By Bob Bong 
Desplaines Valley News

With all the rain we've had so far this year, you might be wondering why towns are starting to impose restrictions on outdoor water use.

Turns out, it's not all about being environmentally responsible. 

There's a state rule that towns that get Lake Michigan water are required to have some sort of water conservation plan and restricting outdoor water usage during the summer is the preferred method.

"Rules included in the Lake Michigan Water Allocation Program require communities to have some kind of water conservation plan in place," said Jim Casey, an engineer with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources.

"We keep the requirement language purposely vague to encourage towns to comply," he said.

For most of the towns in the Desplaines Valley that means a ban on sprinkling except during set hours from mid-May to mid-September.

"If we learn of a town that doesn't have a conservation plan, then obviously we would ask them to create one," Casey said.

"We have restrictions but we have not been as diligent in enforcing them as we should," said Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady.

"And, obviously, we can impose even tougher restrictions if we need to, such as during a drought," he said.

A brief survey of area communities showed that all but  Justice and Willow Springs have village-imposed water usage restrictions.

"Our water is controlled by the Justice-Willow Springs Water Commission," said Justice Village Clerk Kathy Svoboda. "They would be responsible for any conservation plan."

Officials with that agency did not return messages.

Restrictions in other communities include:

• Summit: No watering, sprinkling, washing cars etc. from noon to 6 p.m. from May 15 through Sept. 15.
• Bedford Park: No sprinkling or cleaning of streets, curbs and alleys between May 15 and Sept. 15 except from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m.
• Bridgeview: Watering hours are from 8 a.m. to noon and 8:30 p.m. to midnight from May 15 to Sept. 15. Even numbered addresses water on even numbered dates, odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered dates.Brookfield: From May 15 to Sept. 15, lawn watering, the filling of swimming pools and watering of new sod is not allowed from noon to 6 p.m. daily. There are no restrictions for gardens, shrubs or car washing.
• Countryside: No watering of lawns or gardens from noon to 6 p.m.  from May 15 to Sept. 15. Residents may water during other hours on an even/odd basis depending on the last number of the home's address.
• Hodgkins: Watering is restricted to evening hours from 5-9 p.m. daily from May 15-Sept.15.
• Indian Head Park: No outdoor water use from noon to 6 p.m. daily from May 15 to Sept. 15.
• Justice: No restrictions
• Lyons: Lawn sprinkling and watering is permitted from midnight to noon and from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday of each week from May 14 through Sept. 15, unless a total ban is ordered by the village president.
• McCook: Sprinkling is permitted only from 6 a.m. to noon and from  4-10 p.m. from May 15 to Sept.15.
• Willow Springs: No restriction.

Communities with restrictions will usually give first-time offenders a warning. 

In Lyons, offenders will be given local tickets with fines ranging from $25 for a first offense up to $750 fine for repeat offenders.

Bedford Park will issue a warning followed by a $50 ticket for a first offense to $500 for repeat offenders.