October 8, 2025 -The City of Decatur is requesting that all water customers voluntarily reduce the amount of water they use until further notice due to drought conditions in the Lake Decatur watershed. The watershed and much of central Illinois has received below average rainfall since mid-August 2025.
Lake Decatur, the primary source of water for the City of Decatur and Village of Mt. Zion, is 2.4 feet below the normal level and is slowly declining due to evaporation and lack of rain. The National Weather Service is predicting below average precipitation in central Illinois through October 2025.
The request for voluntary water conservation is only a precautionary measure in case drought conditions continue for an extended period of time. On the City side, we are tapping into alternative water sources to further supplement our water supply. We are also communicating with the 24 largest water users for their assistance with conservation.
This applies to all Decatur water customers including the Village of Mt. Zion. Here are some tips:
· Operate washing machines and dishwashers only when full
· Take shorter showers, and short showers instead of baths
· Don’t let water continue to run while washing hands, shaving, or brushing teeth
· Use car wash businesses and refrain from washing cars at home (car washes recycle water) More tips can be found at www.epa.gov/watersense
Lake Decatur boaters are advised to use caution when using boat ramps and be aware of shallow water obstructions. Property owners adjacent to the lake can take advantage of the lower water level to remove debris from their shoreline if it is safe to do so.
