Waterworks superintendent: "Don't expect any water restrictions"

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Good news for Greater Lafayette residents.

Despite drought conditions, the cities of both West Lafayette and Lafayette do not anticipate having to put any types of water use restrictions in place for the community.

West Lafayette resident, Jill Suitor, said planting drought-tolerant plants like day lilies is key to keeping her garden colorful during this year’s drought.

“Everything, except for the hydrangeas, are all plants that are highly drought-tolerant, or they are native to the Midwest,” said Suitor.

While the heat and dry conditions have taken a toll on most lawns and gardens this summer, it’s not uncommon to see grass and plants dried up in most yards.

But, it’s a different scene in Suitor’s front yard. You will see nothing but shades of purples, blues, oranges, and reds.

“My water bill is probably the highest in town. Despite the fact that I’m only watering in the morning and at night and I do a lot of hand watering. Probably about an hour and a half of just hand watering every single day,” said Suitor.

Leaders from both cities say while they are experiencing an increase in customer demand, largely due to outdoor watering, they are not having any problems meeting that demand.

"The city of Lafayette has always been very fortunate with our water supply. We're over a very prolific aquifer called the Teays River Valley Aquifer and we have never had any water restrictions in the city of Lafayette and we don't foresee one,” said Kerry Smith, Lafayette Waterworks Superintendent.

Smith said the Teays River Valley Aquafer, where Lafayette gets its water, stretches roughly from the Virginia area all the way to the Missouri area, but only runs through part of Indiana.

The part running through the Greater Lafayette area is the largest part of the aquafer and that’s why Lafayette is in good shape when it comes to water supply.

“All of these water bans in the last week have been put in place and I thought to myself, well, our time is coming and I bet in the next week or two we’ll have a water ban as well. So this has put me more at ease,” said Suitor.

Even though both cities are in good shape with their water supply during this drought, city officials are reminding residents in order to save money on your water bill, keep watering to a minimum, water at night and use common sense.