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The Winnetka Park District Staff has formed an Environmental Committee.

A mission statement was formed and it is as follows:

”The purpose of the Environmental Committee is to preserve the environment through practices that will reduce energy consumption and waste, while enhancing and protecting the natural areas within the Winnetka Park District.”

Water Conservation Practices for Homeowners
The Village of Winnetka has a separate storm and sanitary sewer system.  The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago treats the Village’s sanitary sewage.  Once this sewage has been treated, it is returned back into Lake Michigan and the Chicago River system.  In order to minimize the strain on the system and improve pollutant removal performance, a reduction in the amount of storm water or clean water that enters into the sanitary sewer system is imperative.  Water conservation is an important aspect of this goal.  One way homeowners can practice water conservation is to regularly check faucets, toilets, hoses and pipes for water leaks.  A leak as small as a 1/32 inch opening can waste approximately 6,000 gallons of water per day.  A continuous drip from a faucet wastes about 20 gallons of water per day.  Toilet leaks are usually silent but waste up to 200 gallons of water each day.  If you suspect a leak in your system, you can check the water meter when no water is being used.  For example, record the number on the meter prior to leaving for a trip and then check the meter again upon returning home.  If there is a change in the reading, there is a leak in the system.  Some other ways that homeowners can practice water conservation methods is to run the dishwasher or laundry machines only for full loads.  When hand washing dishes or when shaving or brushing teeth, do not let the water run continuously.  Water the lawn only when necessary (trickle irrigation systems and soaker hoses are 20 percent more efficient than sprinklers).  Water lawns only during the coolest time of the day to avoid evaporation of the water.

This article is a joint effort between the Winnetka Park District and the Village of Winnetka to promote Best Management Practices (BMP’s).  These practices reduce the impact of non-point source pollution.  Homeowners and businesses can incorporate BMP’s into their daily activities to improve water quality and reduce runoff.