Buckingham Fountain

To make sure they are never left high and dry, officials in northeast Illinois are ramping up water conservation efforts. At the top of the list is the price of water. Water bills often don't cover all the costs of pumping, cleaning, and delivering water to homes and businesses. These lower prices leave cities without money to repair aging pipes, many more than 100 years old. To pay for needed repairs and encourage people to conserve water, experts recommend that communities charge what it really costs to supply water.

Many communities in the region have also passed laws restricting where and when residents can water their lawns. About one-third of all drinking water is used on lawns. Illinois lawns need only an inch of water a week, or about two hours of sprinkling. Extra water runs off and ends up in nearby lakes or rivers, carrying chemicals and debris with it. Homeowners can also reduce their water use by running sprinklers in the morning, when water won't evaporate as quickly, and letting lawns go dormant in times of drought.