Watering Restrictions, Regulations For 25 Kane County Communities
After a really wet spring, we’re experiencing some dry, hot weather in July, turning folks’ attention to watering restrictions and rules in their hometown.
For your convenience, here’s a list of Kane County communities and the rules as posted on their websites. Click on the city or village’s name for more information and a link, if available.
Fines for violation of local ordinances generally range from $50 to $1,000, so in addition to the common-sense and ecological reasons for conservation, it’s economic good sense to know the rules in your hometown.
As always, if any of this needs updating, please email a note kanecountyconnects@gmail.com.
Algonquin
The water status regulates the use of outside water for the purposes of watering landscape material. Watering is strictly enforced.
To check current water system status, see signs posted on main streets in the Village, call 847-658-2700, or look on the village’s website: www.algonquin.org.
CONSERVATION: Green signs indicate outside water use is permitted except for watering landscaping and lawns, which is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
EVEN/ODD: Yellow signs indicate even/odd days for watering before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Even addresses may only water on even calendar days and odd addresses may only water on odd calendar days, before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Orange signs indicate even/odd days for watering only between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Even addresses may only water on even calendar days and odd addresses may only water on odd calendar days from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
RESTRICTED: Red signs indicate no outside water use is allowed at any time. This includes all use of water outside, such as washing vehicles, power washing, and watering landscaping.
Click here for Algonquin’s PDF.
Aurora
The key elements of Aurora’s ordinance, which was effective immediately upon passage by the City Council, are as follows:
- Customers are permitted to water lawns based on the “odd/even” protocol (based on last digit of street address), between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This provides an average of 21 hours of potential watering time per week.
- Customers with permanently installed, automatic irrigation systems are permitted to water lawns and other landscape using those systems under the same provisions listed above. This provides an average of 21 hours of potential watering time per week.
- Median strips and other areas which cannot be identified as “odd” or “even” are designated as “even” for the purpose of this ordinance.
- Watering is not permitted on July 31 and Aug. 31 of each year. This applies to all customers, automatic or manual systems, odd or even addresses, etc.
- Plant watering using harvested rainwater, reclaimed greywater, or recycled effluent may be performed at any time.
- The waste of water is prohibited. No person shall allow water to run off into a ditch or street, not shall any person spray or sprinkle streets or sidewalks.
- Watering of plants, trees, gardens, etc., and filling of swimming pools having a volume of less than 50 gallons, is permitted at all times, provided a hand-held hose of one-inch diameter or less is used.
- Washing of vehicles is permitted at all times, provided a hose of one-inch diameter or less equipped with a shut-off type nozzle is used.
- Sod laying and lawn seeding are prohibited during the months of July and August each year. During other months, special permits for watering of sod or seed during the first 10 days after placement may be obtained from the Buildings and Permits Division.
- Special permits regulating the use of water for landscaping purposes by commercial enterprises may be obtained from the Department of Public Works.
Click here for Aurora’s Watering Conservation Ordinance details.
Batavia
The city of Batavia has water conservation regulations in order to ensure that there is a continuous adequate water supply for drinking, bathing and fire protection. All businesses and residents are encouraged to comply with the city’s water conservation ordinance.
Water conservation measures are an important first step in protecting our water supply. Such measures not only save our source water supply, but also save you money by reducing your water bill.
WATERING RESTRICTIONS: Are applicable to all properties connected to the city water system. Outdoor water use is permitted between the following hours subject to the odd / even address rule:
- 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Even-numbered street addresses are to water on even-numbered dates and odd-numbered street addresses are to water on odd-numbered dates. New sod or seeded lawns will be watered by permit only. No permits for sod / seed will be issued during the months of July and August.
Click here for Batavia’s Water Conservation Regulations.
Big Rock
- No watering restrictions found online.
Burlington
- No watering restrictions found online.
Campton Hills
- No watering restrictions found online.
Carpentersville
- No watering restrictions found online.
East Dundee
- No watering restrictions found online.
Elburn
- No watering restrictions found online.
Elgin
- No watering restrictions found online.
Geneva
CITY REMINDS RESIDENTS ABOUT LAWN WATERING SCHEDULE
Sprinklers will be out in force this week to help keep lawns green with warm weather in the forecast. As Geneva residents plan their summer watering schedules, they should take note of the city’s sprinkler regulations.
Water sprinklers are permitted between 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on designated days. Residents with an even-numbered street address can water their lawns on even-numbered days and vice-versa for odd-numbered addresses.
People are allowed to use a hand-held hose at any time to water flowers, gardens, trees, shrubs, cars, lawns and wading pools that are 50 gallons or less.
For those placing down sod or watering seed, a $25 permit is required through the Public Works Department, 1800 South St. Sod and seed lawns can be watered for the first day for a maximum of eight hours. During the next nine consecutive days, the lawn can be watered from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
Afterward, the property owner must abide by the city’s regular lawn watering schedule.
For more information, including water conservation tips, visit the city’s website at www.geneva.il.us<http://www.
Gilberts
- No watering restrictions found online.
Hampshire
- No watering restrictions found online.
Huntley
In order to promote public environmental awareness, good husbandry, and good conservation practices and to preserve potable water supplies, the use of the village’s potable water for outdoor water usages shall be limited as follows:
- Restrictions: Whenever in the village manager’s or his/her designee’s, judgment, it is in the public interest to further curtail the use of potable water for landscape and lawn watering purposes, in light of environmental exigencies or water supply availability, the village manager or his/her designee may further restrict the use of potable water for such purposes as follows:
- Condition Green: Condition Green shall allow the outside use of the village’s potable water supply for lawn watering between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Condition Yellow: Condition Yellow shall allow the outside use of the village’s potable water supply for lawn watering only on alternate days (odd/even) between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lots with odd numbered addresses will be permitted to use potable water outside on odd numbered days (except July 31 and Aug. 31 when no watering will be allowed) and lots with even numbered addresses will be permitted to use potable water outside on even numbered day.
- Condition Orange: Condition Orange shall limit the outside use of the Village’s potable water supply to handheld device, recycled gray water, reclaimed wastewater, or harvested rainwater ONLY.
- Condition Red: Condition Red shall prohibit the use of outside potable water for residential hand washing of motor vehicles, landscape materials, lawn watering and all other purposes entirely.
- Signs: The village shall cause signs to be posted in conspicuous public places throughout the village, advising residents of the watering conditions then in effect.
Click here for more on Huntley’s Outside Watering Restrictions.
Lake in The Hills
In order to conserve water in our community, the village has an odd/even outside water use restriction. The restriction is a simple and effective way to ensure that the Village maintains the necessary water supply throughout the year and especially during the hot and dry summer months.
Under the odd/even restriction, residents and businesses with odd numbered addresses are permitted to use water outside (i.e. to water the garden, lawn, wash the car) on odd numbered days (for example the folks at 789 Maple Ave. can use outside water on any odd numbered day such as the 1st, 3rd, 15th, 23rd of the month). Residents and businesses with even numbered addresses can use outside water on even numbered days.
This restriction is in effect all year. The penalty for violating this regulation is $50 for each offense.
The village has placed outside water usage signs across the village. They were created to establish greater uniformity among the surrounding communities. Similar to the signs found in Algonquin and Huntley, the new outside water usage signs utilize a color system to identify more clearly the current level of allowable outside water use at any given time.
The signs are installed at the entrance to every major subdivision in the village, allowing for an optimal level of visibility and communication. The placard within the sign will be changed when the conditions change. The placards are color coded to make it easier to identify changes in conditions.
Typically, the condition color change will remain in place until the situation forcing the change is resolved. The Water Division works hard to keep the changes to a minimum. Your assistance by following the temporary restrictions helps ensure the safety of your drinking water and the community. If you have any questions please contact Public Works at 847-960-7500.
- This sign indicates the village is operating under normal conditions, where outside water use is permitted on an odd or even basis. Addresses ending in odd number use water on odd numbered dates and even numbers on even numbered dates.
Same as the odd / even condition except outside water use is restricted to between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This is used when equipment failures or extreme weather conditions create a situation where open outside water use could create a serious strain on the system and impair fire fighting water reserves.
Outside water use is prohibited. This condition is only used due to failure of critical equipment or when total water use exceeds system capacity to meet the demand. This condition is employed to ensure the safety of your drinking water and to maintain fire fighting water reserves for use in an emergency.
Click this link for Lake in The Hills Watering Restrictions.
Maple Park
- No watering restrictions found online.
Montgomery
Ordinance 1250 contains mandatory water conservation regulations in the village of Montgomery, which applies to all users of village water from May 1 to Sept. 30 each year. The ordinance makes it illegal to water a new lawn (a lawn planted between July 1 and Aug. 31) with water from the village’s water system.
Residents are subject to fines if found using the village water supply outside of regulations.
This note was in Montgomery’s August 2018 e-newsletter (sent July 25):
“Water conservation hours will continue through Aug. 31. Please note that watering new sod and landscaping is
prohibited during July and August.”
Water Use Restrictions
Landscape watering (except new sod and seeded turf lawns) or the filling of swimming pools is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. as follows:
- Properties with an even-numbered address may water on even-numbered calendar dates Properties with an odd-numbered address may water on odd-numbered calendar dates.
- These restrictions do not apply to hand-held watering devices; swimming pools holding 50 gallons or less; or vehicle and equipment washing.
- When laying new sod or seeded turf lawns, residents must follow village-established regulations. These can be found on the village’s website.
- No person shall allow a continuous stream of water from the village water supply to run off into any gutter, ditch, drain, or street inlet while using water for any purpose.
North Aurora
The village of North Aurora has amended its “Water Conservation Ordinance. Effective Sept. 5, 2012, the North Aurora Village Board passed an ordinance that amends the North Aurora Municipal Code, Section 13.28.040 subsection A (Watering Restrictions) in its entirety as follows:
A: No village water may be used for the restricted watering uses described in Section 13.28.030 of this Chapter except between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between the hours of 6 p.m and 9 p.m. subject to the following restrictions, or as otherwise allowed in this section:
i.: All properties with even-numbered street addresses may use water for restricted watering purposes on even-numbered days of the month only; and
water for restricted watering purposes on odd-numbered days
of the month only.
Individuals that do not comply with the provisions of the Water Conservation Ordinance will be subject to fines. Water conservation guidelines carry benefit to both Village residents and village staff.
With water conservation measures in place, village staff are better able to monitor and remedy situations where individuals are wasting our community’s water. The time window for allowable watering is considered to be ideal for village residents due to lower evaporation rates and less burn-off during established watering hours.
Click here for more information on North Aurora’s watering restrictions.
Pingree Grove
- No watering restrictions found online.
Sleepy Hollow
Village Ordinance 6-3-11 Lawn Sprinkling Restrictions: A.1. : Residents and property owners owning property with odd numbered addresses shall only be permitted to sprinkle on odd number calendar days, and property owners with even numbered addresses shall only be permitted to sprinkle on even number calendar days. Ordinance 6-3-11 B.3: All watering of lawns , shrubbery and plants which is done by handheld watering may be done at any time.
Visit the Sleepy Hollow Village Code page for a complete list of codes.
South Elgin
The village has adopted the Northwest Water Planning Alliance requirements for lawn sprinkling.
The year-round conservation ordinance regulations apply to any individual, household or business using water within the Village or whose property is supplied by the Village’s water system. For more information review Title V Section 51.37 in the Code of Ordinances. The multi-tier, color-coded alert system of allowed watering times can be found in the table below:
| Even Addresses | Odd Addresses | |
| Year-Round (Green Tier) | On even calendar days between 6-9am or 6-9pm | On odd calendar days between 6-9am or 6-9pm |
| Moderate to Severe Drought (Yellow Tier) | The use of sprinkler systems is prohibited. Exempted uses are still allowed with no time or day restrictions. | |
| Extreme to Exceptional Drought (Red Tier) | The use of sprinkler systems and exempted uses are prohibited at all times and days. | |
| To Establish New Sod | A permit is required for all installations. Installations are not allowed during July and August. Installation can occur at any time of the year with no watering restrictions if recycled greywater or harvested rainwater is being used. | |
Exempted Water Uses
- Lawn watering using reclaimed greywater or harvested rainwater.
- Watering of trees, shrubs and flowers with a handheld hose not larger than 1 inch in diameter or through a drip irrigation system.
- Lawn watering done with the attended use of a handheld watering device.
- Vehicle or equipment washing with a water hose equipped with a positive shutoff valve.
- Any other lawful use of water such as bathing, clothes washing or other normal household uses not specified as being regulated by the ordinance.
Additional Provisions Under Consideration
- The waste of water is prohibited. This includes: allowing sprinkler systems to run water onto impervious surfaces, such as sidewalks and driveways; the spraying of impervious surfaces; car washing with potable water other than with a handheld hose with an automatic shutoff valve or a bucket and other extraneous outdoor use of treated, potable water.
- The village can at any time keep or initiate ordinance provisions that are more conservative-oriented.
- The village can impose a total outdoor watering ban for water conservation, service interruption or emergency purposes at any time.
St. Charles
The City Code 13.16.205 establishes regulations for outdoor water use year round. Even-numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on odd-numbered days during the same times. Sprinkling is prohibited citywide 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
These restrictions apply to the use of automatic devices used to spray or irrigate lawns, gardens, trees or shrubs, such as irrigations systems and lawn sprinklers. Hand-held hoses and drip type irrigation watering devices are permitted any day, at any time of the day, for washing cars, watering flowers/trees/gardens/lawns, and filling wading pools under 50 gallons.
New lawns require special care until they are established. Homeowners must apply for a Sod Laying and Seeded Lawn Installation Permit for all newly seeded/sodded lawns.
The permit allows the homeowner to use an automatic sprinkling device for 8 hours on the first day and extends the allowable watering times for the next consecutive nine days. However, sprinkling for this purpose is prohibited in July and August.
Click here to read more about St. Charles watering restrictions.
Sugar Grove
In order to ensure that there is an adequate water supply for drinking, bathing and fire protection this summer, all residents are encouraged to comply with the village’s water conservation ordinance. Water conservation measures are an important first step in protecting the water supply.
Such measures not only save our source water supply, but also save you money by reducing your water bill.
Watering restrictions apply to all properties connected to the Village Water System.
Outdoor water use is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and limited to even-numbered street addresses on even-numbered dates and odd-numbered street addresses on odd-numbered dates.
Newly planted seed or sod may be exempt from the restrictions for the first 10 days during permitted hours of use after obtaining a Sod Watering Permit.
The use of water for the establishment of new sod or seed shall be prohibited from July 1 to Aug. 31
Wayne
- No watering restrictions found online.
West Dundee
West Dundee’s water restrictions are similar to those of other communities, with green, yellow, orange and red signals to indicate when residents can water.
Click here for a PDF on West Dundee’s Water Restriction Policy.
