Announcing the Rain Barrel Winner!

During the recent open house hosted by the Village to share information about the water and sewer rate, and capital improvement fee increases, the Village's Sustainability Coordinator, Meg Dongarra provided resources and education on water conservation. Those who attended were able to enter into a drawing to win a rain barrel....and the winner is....Kristin Carlson! Congratulations to Kristin! 

Want to save money on utility bills? Get "Water Smart!"

Summer is in full swing, and so too is the increase in water usage to care for lawns and flowers, to fill home swimming pools, and other activities that are yearly signs of the season.

As a reminder, residents and businesses will see increases on their July 2 utility bills due to the water and sewer rate, and capital infrastructure fee increases that were approved in late April. Despite these increases, you do have power to manage and reduce your water usage to save on utility bills. Please see five easy ways to reduce your water consumption, while also helping our environment.

1. Do you have leaky faucets or showerheads? While a small drip might not seem substantial, over time, this can absolutely impact your bill. The U.S. Geological Survey provides a quick quiz to determine what the real impact could be. So be sure to check those faucets and showerheads to ensure they are drip-free.
2. Are you letting your tap run when you don't need to be? When we wash our hands, brush our teeth or shower, while we're cooking or hand washing dishes, water can often be running for the duration of these activities. Be aware of this and do your best to reduce the amount of water that runs straight down the drain. Also be sure to not leave water running when you walk away and are not using it.
3. Can you spread out how often you water your lawn? Environmentalists focused on helping everyone to conserve water suggest not "overwatering" your lawn, and allowing Mother Nature to take over. This helps your property to be a stronger natural habitat for local wildlife, and it will decrease how often you need to mow your lawn, too.
4. Can you invest in higher efficiency models for sinks, showers and toilets to save money in the long run? If yes, you are on way to conserving water almost immediately. If not, there are more affordable options such as WaterSense Conversion Kits that can also help water efficiency and reduce consumption.
5. Can your landscaping be more water-efficient? Lawn irrigation systems are a household's greatest water expenditure. You can reduce your usage by planting the right plants and only watering when it is needed. Find information on good planting for water conservation and efficiency here. You can also purchase a rain barrel to save water and use it for your lawn when needed.

For more information on rate and fee increases and why they are needed, please visit the Village’s FAQ page here. If you have a question that is not found on the FAQ page, please email utilitymasterplan@hampshireil.org.