Residents with private wells might soon be allowed to use well water to avoid sprinkling restrictions, village officials said.
Under a plan proposed by Jeff Livergood, senior director of public works, residents who have wells could tap into them between May 15 and Sept. 15 for sprinkling and irrigation without penalty for disobeying the village’s outdoor water-use restrictions.
Downers Grove, Hinsdale and Wood Dale are the only communities in Du Page County that enforce outdoor water-conservation measures on residents with access to private wells. State regulations apply only to residents who use Lake Michigan water.
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Because the wells pose no threat to the village’s supply of Lake Michigan water, there is no reason those regulations cannot be lifted for private well owners, commissioners said.
“As long as the wells are approved by the Health Department, there’s no domestic hookup, and there’s a sign posted on the property to warn code-enforcement officers, there’s no reason people shouldn’t be able to use their private wells to water their lawn,” village manager Kurt Bressner said.
Although uncertain how many private wells exist in the village, officials estimated that they could identify that number by May 1. Commissioners will review the proposal again April 12.