City Approves New Water Conservation Initiative

The information below comes from the City of Highland Park.

The City Council has approved a new Water Conservation & Efficiency (WCE) Initiative which will go into effect this spring. The initiative entails implementation of several water waste reduction measures to include: 

1. Tiered Rate Plan effective July 1, 2013 for all residents 
2. Odd/Even Sprinkling Restrictions
3. Smart Sensors Installation on New Lawn Sprinkling Systems effective May 1, 2013 
4. Public Education on Water Conservation & Efficiency 

The City of Highland Park recognizes the importance of responsibly managing our water resources and has taken proactive measures to create efficiencies in its water distribution. These initiatives fall in line with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) proposed regulations seeking similar initiatives for all consumers of Lake Michigan water. 

The three-tiered rate plan applies to residential properties in which citizens utilizing a higher volume of water may see changes in water rates. The majority of single-family customers in the City of Highland Park use water at a rate that will remain unaffected by the new initiative (less than 6,000 cubic feet quarterly). Those residents utilizing between 6,000 and 8,000 cubic feet quarterly will see a 10 percent increase and those residents utilizing more than 8,000 cubic feet quarterly will see a 15 percent increase. 

Sprinkling restrictions, which go into effect May 15 until September 15 of each calendar year, require that all property owners limit sprinkler use between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and only on odd/even days that correspond with the property’s address (odd numbered properties are permitted to use sprinklers on odd numbered days and even numbered properties are permitted to use sprinklers on even numbered days). 

Furthermore, the installation of smart sensors will prevent sprinklers from running during wet events like rain. Effective May 1, 2013 all newly installed lawn irrigation systems are to be equipped with soil moisture sensors that meet USEPA WaterSense standard. 

For more information on the new WCE Initiative, please visit the City’s webpage at www.cityhpil.com/waterconservation or call the City at (847) 926-1000. 

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