Chicago Recognizes the importance of the Lake Chicago reversed the Chicago River in 1887 to protect this essential source of water from its own sewage. The sculpture The Fountain of The Great Lakes, in the South Garden of the Art Institute honors the lakes for their beauty, as well as their utility.

Here are some steps you can take to help. Many are simple changes to old habits. Some may require changes of facilities in your home. But the most important step is your first one!

• Turn off the water while shaving and brushing your teeth.  If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running constantly for rinsing.
• Attend quickly to dripping faucets and other water leaks. 
• Run only full loads in the dishwasher and scrape your plates clean rather than rinsing them beforehand.
• Run only full loads in the clothes washer and set the water temperature to cold for both wash and rinse.
• Be alert to excessive hot water use.  Consider an under-sink flash heater If you find you currently need to run the hot water faucet a long time until it gets hot.
• Opt for speedy showers with a low-flow shower head rather than filling the bath tub.  Consider a bubble or soaking bath or a very long shower as a rare treat.
• Consider installing a dual flush toilet which uses less water when appropriate and more when needed.  Be mindful of these options in public restrooms.
• Empty water from drinking glasses into the watering can for your plants.
• Read labels to use less toxic cleaning products to improve the water being returned to the environment.
• Enhance your garden with drought resistant plants and trees and use lots of mulch.  Water your garden during the coolest part of the day to minimize evaporation.