Village Of Sussex : Limit Outdoor Water Usage

Press release from the Village of Sussex:

06/15/2021 8:55 AM

Waukesha County is in a severe drought with rainfall currently 5-6 inches below normal. The Village is requesting that property owners voluntarily limit outdoor water use due to the stress the recent hot dry weather is putting on the Village’s wells. Water usage is at double our normal use rates (2 million gallons/day vs. the normal 1 million gallons/day) and the wells have been pumping 17 hours per day, on average. 

We ask that residents and businesses consider the following conservation tips:

• Established lawns need only 1 inch of water per week. Applying the water all at once, rather than frequent light watering, promotes deeper roots and a healthier, more resilient lawn.
• Avoid watering during the mid-day heat. This will reduce losses due to evaporation.
• Raise your lawnmower height to promote deeper rooting. Taller grass also shades the soil surface thereby reducing evaporation.
• Use a sprinkling can or handheld hose to specifically target smaller areas where a sprinkler is wasteful.
• Consider a timed sprinkler, which automatically shuts off after a desired rate of application.
• Use a rain barrel. Capturing water from downspouts conserves the municipal supply while providing the best water for lawn and garden.
• See UW Extension’s lawn watering guide PDF for additional tips.

This press release was produced by the Village of Sussex. The views expressed here are the author’s own.