Conservation order working
Water use down since Saturday
The City issued a Phase I -- a voluntary water conservation order -- Saturday for areas that use water provided by the city, including Edwardsville, the village of Glen Carbon, Northeast Central Public Water District (located north of Edwardsville) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Harr said the city has already noticed a 600,000-gallon per day drop in water use since Saturday.Water use has gradually increased since May, when the Edwardsville Water Treatment Plant produced an average of 3.9 gallons of water per day, he said.
In June, that amount rose to an average of 4.85 million gallons per day.
Last week the water use average eclipsed 6 million gallons per day.
During Phase I, residents are asked to reduce their consumption of water for outdoor lawn and garden watering, vehicle washing and are asked not to waste water.
The order is a precautionary measure to help maintain water quality standards, and to ensure that an adequate supply during high heat and dry weather conditions.
The city is asking people to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by at least 50 percent.
The high water use strains the water treatment and water supply systems, Harr said.
"Excessive water usage causes the water plant equipment to run continuously," he said.
Harr said cooperation with the Phase I order should preclude the need for more restrictive water use measures. The order may be changed or eliminated depending on changes in weather conditions.
Glen Carbon Mayor Rob Jackstadt said village residents should comply with the precautionary order issued by the city of Edwardsville.
"Via our intergovernmental agreement, we have agreed to follow the voluntary water conservation instructions, since we purchase our water from the city," Jackstadt said.
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