Water Conservation Strongly Encouraged

McHenry County, municipal, and township government leaders, state officials, and large water users met on Wednesday, July 11, to discuss the need for water conservation and drought preparation.

According to Walt Kelly of the Illinois State Water Survey, “Illinois is falling deeper into drought conditions as agricultural impacts are now becoming much more evident and hydrologic conditions [are] continuing to deteriorate. There is very little rain in the forecast at a time when substantial rains are needed to avoid agricultural damages.”

On July 3rd, the U.S. Drought Monitor updated the classification of most of McHenry County from “moderate” to “severe” drought. Portions of central and southern Illinois have been experiencing a severe or extreme drought since mid-June.

Thirty-three counties in central and southern Illinois recently received a disaster designation from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. This was done based on a request from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, specific formulas and field input. The disaster designation makes low and no interest loans available to the agriculture community. It does not provide relief to local or state government or home owners.

In response to the drought conditions, many McHenry County communities have implemented restrictions on the use of their public water supplies. Municipal residents are encouraged to contact their appropriate authorities to learn of their particular restrictions.

McHenry County does not have the authority to restrict the use of water by residents, industry, or farmers as it does not provide a public water supply.

However, McHenry County is urging all residents, incorporated and unincorporated, to implement additional voluntary water conservation measures. These include:

Not to water lawns and recommending to only water gardens in the early morning and evening hours (after checking on municipal restrictions);

• Avoid washing cars
• Repair leaky water fixtures
• Turn off the water while shaving and brushing teeth
• Take shorter showers
• Use dishwashers and clothes washers only when full
• Not letting the water run when washing dishes by hand

For more water conservation ideas, please visit the McHenry County water resources website: www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/waterresources