Rain gauges are available to CWLP Customers to help measure rainfall to grow a beautiful lawn, while saving water and money.
City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) strives to help customers get the greatest value for every dollar they spend on water service. Toward this end, the utility works to educate customers on the value of water efficiency and sponsors programs aimed at helping them improve their own water efficiency without requiring them to sacrifice comfort and convenience.
In recognition of Drinking Water Week, CWLP is sharing smart outdoor water use tips and is inviting customers to pick up a free rain gauge from its Customer Service Office beginning Wednesday, May 6 while supplies last. The office is located at 300 S. 7th Street in the Municipal Center West.
A typical Illinois lawn needs about 1-1 ½ inches of water each week, including rain. Rain gauges are helpful in tracking rainfall to determine when outdoor watering can be skipped.
The Irrigation Association finds that many property owners over water their lawns and landscapes by as much as 30 percent. Most lawns will go dormant during extended dry periods but will tend to come back once normal rainfall returns.
Tips For Reducing Outdoor Water Use
• When watering your lawn or garden, make sure the water goes where it is needed, not onto the sidewalks, driveway or street.
• Using drip irrigation hoses, rather than sprinklers, can be a much more efficient way to water shrubs, flowers, trees and other landscaping. It directs the water right toward the plant roots.
• If you have an in-ground irrigation system check out our Smart Irrigation Page
• Install one or more rain barrels to capture rain water runoff from your roof. Even a relatively small rain event can result in the capture of a significant amount of water that can be used to water outdoor plants or even wash a car.
• Don't over-water your lawn. A healthy lawn needs only about one inch of water per week. Use a rain gauge to measure the amount of water added to your lawn.
• When you do water, do so in the early morning when temperatures are at their lowest and there will be less chance of evaporation.
• Add several inches of mulch around landscape plants to help the ground around their roots retain moisture.
• When mowing, set your mower blade to a height of at least 3 inches. The taller the grass, the better the roots will be shaded and the longer the soil will hold moisture.
• If you're ready for a new landscaping project, replace grass with native plants, groundcover or hardscaping that will require less watering.
• When washing your car at home, use a hose attachment that will allow you to shut off water flow except when you need it for wetting and rinsing the car. If you can, park the car on your lawn while washing, so the water you use can also water your grass. Better yet . . . wash your car at a car wash. Most modern car washes utilize water recycling systems that significantly reduce waste.
• When conditions call for even greater reductions in water use, ornamental fountains should be turned off and new plant or tree installations should be postponed.
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In commemoration of Drinking Water Week, CWLP customers should follow the CWLP Blog and Social Media accounts, www.facebook.com/4cwlp; www.x.com/cwlp_) and Instagram @cwlp__. CWLP is joining communities throughout North America in recognizing Drinking Water Week May 3-9, 2026.
This annual observance led by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) serves to highlight the importance of reliable, high-quality drinking water for customers. This year, CWLP is highlighting the value of its water, as well as the department’s history and some of the people behind the Water Division at CWLP. For additional information about CWLP’s Water Division and water quality, visit CWLP.com and click to the Water Division tab.
