Evanston Outdoor Watering Ban Starts May 15

Evanston’s outdoor watering ban starts tomorrow and lasts until September 15 during daytime weekday hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with some exceptions, according to a press release. 

The city code does not allow for any person, firm or corporation to use water for the sprinkling or irrigation of lawns or gardens between Monday and Friday, with exceptions made for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and all weekends. An exception to the watering ban is allowed for a period of ten consecutive days for watering newly laid sod or freshly sown seeds. 

"Watering your plants between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is ineffective. Not only does the water tend to evaporate before it is absorbed by the plants, but plants just don’t absorb water as well during the heat of the day,” Utilities Director David Stoneback said in a statement. 

Violators could be fined between $25 and $500 per day of violation. In the event of an emergency water shortage, the city manager can temporarily ban all nonessential water use for as long as the emergency water shortage might exist.

Outside Water Conservation Tips

Information provided by the City of Evanston.

Use a bucket of water and a spray head on the hose to wash your car. A running hose can waste hundreds of gallons of water in the short time it takes to wash a vehicle.

It is recommended that residents water their lawn or gardens during the coolest part of the day to minimize evaporation and thus the waste of water.

Choose plants that are native to the area in which we live or plants that are drought resistant for landscaping and gardening. Group plants together based on similar watering needs.

Plant or maintain an eco-friendly garden. Download the Eco-landscaping Guide here.

Efficient water use can cut down on water waste and still provide water for plants and turf. Outdoor water efficiency is especially important during the hot summer months when as much as 50% of home water consumption is for watering lawns and gardens.

• A typical Illinois lawn needs about 1-1 ½ inches of water each week, including rain according to www.gardenillinois.com. 
• In Illinois, cool season grasses can go dormant during hot, dry weather without watering and recover when growing conditions improve in the late summer or early autumn.
• Overwatering causes runoff, wastes water and carries fertilizers and other chemicals into the sewer system.
• Rain gauges are devices designed to measure how much rain was received at a specific location over a designated period of time. Rain gauges are easy to use and can act as an accurate way to measure how much water plants are getting over time. Use your rain gauge to monitor how much rain was received at your house. Keep track of weekly rainfall totals to determine whether your lawn needs additional water. To learn how to make your own rain gauge, click here.
• A rain barrel is a water tank which is used to collect and store rainwater runoff, typically from rooftops. Instead of running down driveways and sidewalks to sewers, rainwater falls into a rain barrel where it can be stored for use in gardens and for house plants. They are a simple, efficient, low-cost method for homeowners to conserve water. To order a rain barrel from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, click here.