Big Increase In La Grange Water Use

LA GRANGE, IL — Like other western suburbs, La Grange has seen an increase in water use. In August, the village's consumption jumped 21 percent over the same time last year. Burr Ridge, Western Springs and Elmhurst saw 28 percent, 23 percent and 11 percent increases respectively.

The increased water usage became a discussion at this week's Western Springs Village Board meeting.

Trustee Heidi Rudolph called the 23 percent increase "astounding."

"If you recall, we had a couple of weeks of real extreme heat where it was over 90," Rudolph said. August's consumption "puts us at the top levels of water usage. With everyone at home and watering their lawns, it's really, really quite an increase."

Rudolph, the village finance committee's chairman, said the spike was an opportunity for her to speak about the effects of extreme water events on the village's budget. She cited the significant rains in May and the hot weather in August as examples.

"I don't offer this for any solution or debate at the moment, but just rather for all of us to consider that this is something we will likely confront with the future price of these weather extremes," Rudolph said. "We will likely have difficult decisions about our scarce resources in the future."

Village President Alice Gallagher agreed.

"Climate change is real, and we need to address it," she said.

She added Western Springs is working with other towns for a regional stormwater grant.

"That will be beneficial, but more needs to be done," she said.