Dear Residents,

Due to frequent rain and extremely high groundwater levels, the Village of Tampico sewer system is under extreme strain sometimes dealing with 900,000 gallons of water a day, 18 times the amount typically processed. This has caused sewer water to backup into multiple homes within the Village. The Village is asking all residents to work to reduce their water use to help prevent the system from being overwhelmed and help protect fellow residents property.

Steps you can take to help during this crisis:

• Reduce your shower time: A ten minute shower can use as much as 40 gallons per minute. So try to take fewer showers, or ask an out of -town friend or relative if you can use theirs.
• Turn off the faucet: You can conserve water and reduce the amount you are putting back into the system by turning off the faucet when you do not need water, such as while brushing your teeth and while washing your face or hands.
• Delay Laundry: Wear clothes that are not too dirty again and when you need to do laundry make sure you wash full loads. Also, consider taking your laundry to an out of town friend or family member or visiting an out of town laundromat.
• Dishwashing: Delay dish washing. But if you must wash dishes, use a dishwasher if you have one. Running a full dishwasher requires about 20 gallons of water compared to 40 gallons if you washed the same number of dishes by hand.
• Use paper or plastic: Consider using disposable glasses, dishes and utensils that can be thrown away instead of washed until the water system is back to normal.
• Flush less: Each flush can use between 1.6 to five gallons of water.
• Sump Pumps and Downspouts: Some homes have their sump pumps or downspouts connected to the sewer system. This greatly increases the amount of water entering the system. Please, contact Public Works to help find an alternative arrangement. -Ordinance 13.36.250 – Prohibited discharge into sanitary sewer.

No Person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer. (Ord. 531 Part 2 Ch. 1 Art. IV § 1, 1980)

We understand this is a frustrating time for everyone and we will be continuing to work on protecting you and your property but we cannot do this alone. For your friends and neighbors, please be mindful and work on reducing your water use.

Thank you,

Village of Tampico &
Whiteside County Health Department