Tips to Conserve Water in a Heat Wave

Maybe you've heard, but over the next few years, those of us living in the suburbs are going to start paying a lot more for our water. Thanks to price increases from the city of Chicago, village boards in and both recently approved their own rate hikes.

(Click the links to see how much your water rates will go up for either village and why).

With high temperatures hitting us this week and continuing through the weekend and next week, it's a good idea to know how to save as much as possible as you water your garden and lawn. is reminding resident to try and conserve their water by watering smart, and to be extra cautious when using fire pits and grills.

A tip they have for residents is to water early in the morning. Watering early helps you conserve water by having to water less often, as you'll lose less water through evaporation than you would in the middle of the day when it's really hot.

Watering early also helps out the village. When you water early, you help to moderate the demand for water throughout the day. Even demand means keeping the village's pipes at an even pressure, which puts less stress on the system.

To help out, avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. as much as possible.

Fire Warning

The La Grange Fire Department is also reminding residents to be extra cautious in hot and dry weather when using a backyard fireplace, fire pit and grill. Due to us having gotten little rain lately, vegetation is dry and can create fire tinder.

To be safe, don't leave your fires unattended, and when you go inside, douse them fully in water before calling it a night.

To read the village's release, click here.