Algonquin Ups Water Restrictions as Drought Continues

Stricter watering restrictions will be enacted Thursday in Algonquin as village officials are encouraging residents to let their lawns go dormant to help conserve water. 

The level will switch from yellow to orange status for Algonquin residents on Thursday, which means outside water can only be used between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. with even addresses allowed to water on even days and odd addresses allowed to water on odd days.

Under the yellow status, residents could also use outdoor water after 6 p.m. Typically, that is the status that is used throughout the summer in Algonquin but a continued drought coupled with an increase in water use is taxing the village’s resources.

“We are looking at weather conditions, how much rain did we get, or in this case how much rain did we not get, the drought conditions and then the amount of water that we are pumping and the aquifer levels,” said Katie Parkhurst, senior planner with the village of Algonquin's community development department. 

Those in violation of the village's water restrictions could face a $100 fine for their first offense. 

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During a typical summer, the village of Algonquin will pump 3 million gallons of water a day. This summer, it has been up to 5.5 million gallons of water per day from an increase in water use during the dry weather, Parkhurst said.

This is the first time since the watering restrictions were enacted that the village of Algonquin has issued an orange status. The next level up is a red status — or restricted — which means no outside water use is allowed.

“We are hoping orange will be as restrictive as we need to go this summer,” Parkhurst said.

In addition, residents are encouraged not to water their lawns and only focus on watering gardens, flowers, trees and shrubs as necessary, Parkhurst said.

“Many residents have chosen to let their lawns go dormant this summer and that is great,” she said.

The village of Lake in the Hills has similar restrictions in place but enacts its odd/even day restrictions year round instead of just in the summer. Those in violation could face a $50 fine for each offense, according to the village of Lake in the Hills website. 

The village of Huntley also restricts water use and is currently , which carries the same regulations as Algonquin's yellow status. The village also reported high volumes so far this summer. 

The city of Crystal Lake is also , which means outdoor use is only permitted between 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the odd/even schedule. 

A June Crystal Lake-Cary Patch article reported several residents seemed to be  forcing city workers to ring door bells at houses where sprinklers were running during prohibited times to inform them about the policy. 

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