Water supplies near critical stage for City Utilities of Springfield

Customers could see mandatory restrictions in a month if water isn't conserved.

August 09, 2012|by Gene Hartley | ghartley@schurz.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The prolonged drought means water customers in and around Springfield could soon face mandatory restrictions by early September. It could even mean some businesses that use water will have to close on some or all days of the week.

City Utilities of Springfield said Thursday that it has reached a critical phase, “which calls for increased voluntary water conservation measures from our customers.

CU’s water supply storage in Fellows Lake and McDaniel Lake was at 65.8 percent of capacity on Thursday, with an average historical amount of 86.3 percent. The rainfall on Wednesday “provided enough water to keep levels even with the reading from Wednesday but not enough to make a substantial change in storage levels,” CU said.

CU estimates, if conditions continue as they are now, its water storage levels will be at 60 percent in early September. That level would activate the Emergency Water Conservation Plan, which includes mandatory water restrictions. CU has never had to use the city ordinance which contains that plan.

“In addition to customer demand, there are several factors that impact the water supply,” CU said in a news release. “Prolonged excessive heat, wind, physical characteristics of the reservoirs, and continued lack of rainfall in the watersheds that fill our lakes, all impact the drawdown of water.”

The National Weather Service says July was the hottest month in U.S. history and the drought’s effects are more widespread than during Dust Bowl of 1936. Several communities already enacted mandatory restrictions.

CU hopes it customers will voluntarily conserve water. Some already have, but it asks people to:

use the Odd/Even Watering Program and, if possible, water fewer days;
water only during early morning hours;
inspect home and businesses for water leaks;
turn off faucets when brushing teeth and shaving;
take shorter showers; and
visit its website for additional water conservation tips.

“Together, we can conserve water today for all of us to use in the future. Together, we can protect local jobs that rely on water and we can have the necessary water supply that is essential to all of us in our daily lives,” CU said.

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