Lake Forest and Lake Bluff homeowners connected to Lake County's public works water system cannot run sprinklers or irrigate landscaping between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. under a county ordinance that remains in effect through Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The restriction applies specifically to properties served by Lake County Public Works. Residents on a separate municipal water supply should check with their local provider to confirm whether the same rules apply.
The Lake County Department of Public Works published the reminder in its summer 2026 newsletter on Thursday, Aug. 13. The ordinance runs each year from May 15 through Sept. 15 and bans all outdoor water use for landscaping and irrigation during peak daytime hours.
Beyond the time window, the rules limit which days a property can water. Even-numbered addresses may irrigate only on even-numbered calendar days. Odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered days.
The department warned that hotter, drier weather could trigger additional restrictions beyond the baseline ordinance as summer continues.
Why the county is watching water supply
The newsletter also detailed several infrastructure projects that illustrate how heavily the county is investing in its water and wastewater systems.
At West Oak Middle School, crews used a crane this summer to lift a prefabricated well house into place. That marks the final phase of the ARPA-funded Oak Terrace Water System project, which began with drilling a test well and installing new water mains. Once the well house is complete, those mains can go live and deliver drinking water to the surrounding service area.
At the Vernon Hills West Pump Station, the department is replacing two force mains that have been in service for 35 and 50 years. Engineering analysis found both 16-inch pipes are degrading. One replacement will be upsized to 20 inches to handle future wastewater flows, and crews are using directional drilling to minimize surface disruption.
The Des Plaines River Water Reclamation Facility is getting new disc filters, UV disinfection equipment, secondary clarifier covers and two replacement blowers. The upgrades will reduce chemical use and add treatment capacity.
Levee passes inspection
Separately, the one-mile North Libertyville Estates levee, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1997, passed its 2026 inspection this summer. The department noted that more frequent and intense rainfall in recent years makes ongoing levee maintenance critical across the county.
Residents with questions about water restrictions or county infrastructure projects can call Lake County Public Works at 847-377-7500.
