Brookfield Imposes Lawn Watering Ban

Press release from the city:

Effective immediately, the City of Brookfield is imposing a lawn watering ban for all properties including those on municipal water and those on private wells.

This ban is imposed because of the extreme drought over the past two months and the extended forecast of temperatures in the upper 80’s and 90’s with little chance for rain.

Over the past few weeks, the City’s water utility has seen some of its highest water pumpage rates ever. Water Superintendent Mark Simon said, “Many of our well pumps are running 20 to 24 hours per day. This is unsustainable as the pumps and motors never get a chance to rest or cool down, especially with the hot weather.”

The City has already received requests by residents to institute a lawn watering ban. Many on private wells are concerned that their wells may go dry if others continue to water lawns. Water levels in City wells are not subject to this risk since they are much deeper than private wells, but even City wells have seen drops in water elevations. If the deeper wells have seen drops in water levels, then it is reasonable to project that the private well levels are dropping as well.

Director of Public Works Tom Grisa stated, “Water supply is the most basic and critical service we provide our residents. With such a mild winter and lack of rain this spring and summer, groundwater elevations are low already and this ban is necessary to preserve this most precious resource.

“It not only protects the municipal water supply, but acts as a defense for those still on private wells who are likely to be affected first if groundwater elevations continue to drop.”

The lawn watering ban applies to outdoor watering of lawns and washing of cars (excluding commercial car washes that recycle the water). The ban does not apply to hand watering of flowers, trees or shrubs. This can still be done in accordance with the City’s outdoor watering restrictions following the even address / even day and odd address / odd day rules and limiting watering to before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only.

Property owners who have newly installed lawns may receive an exemption provided they contact the water utility and provide evidence that the lawn is newly installed.

This ban will continue until further notice. We urge the cooperation of all City of Brookfield residents and property owners. Violators of this ban will be cited.