St. Charles Lifts Voluntary Water Conservation Order

lifted its on Thursday. 

Water usage has decreased since the city first issued the voluntary order July 5, according to a press release from the city. 

Daily use dropped to 10 million gallons per day this week, down from a high of 15 million gallons per day over July 4th. 

Although the order was lifted, the Public Works Department is workign with Parks and Recreation to recycle water from city swimming pools. 

The Public Works department used a pump and hose connection at Blanchette Pool and the water was used in street sweepers, sewer vac trucks and portable water tanks for landscape watering. 

The city may also recycle the water at McNair and Wapelhorst pools.  According to city officials the chlorine in the water is not an issue because the city stopped chlorinating the water a week ago and chemicals have dissipated from sunlight and air exposure. 

“If successful, we’ll pursue similar water recycling efforts as a standard practice in years to come regardless of drought conditions," said Maralee Britton, director of Parks and Recreation.