The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is urging the state’s 1,500 community water systems to closely monitor their water supplies and implement water conservation measures if shortfalls are anticipated.
The prolonged dry spell mean many of Missouri’s water systems are experiencing substantial increases in customer demand for water at a time when the supply of water for many systems is declining. The lack of rain means water levels in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and even wells are dropping to a greater degree than in normal years.
Approximately a quarter of Missouri’s water systems have requested their customers voluntarily conserve water by cutting back or eliminating lawn and garden watering, car washing and other non-essential uses. A smaller number have issued mandatory orders requiring their customers to stop such uses.
Cole County Public Water Supply District #1 issued a voluntary conservation order in early July by asking customers to alternate days they water their lawn, and to water only in the early morning hours. District officials report there was an immediate drop-off in water use of approximately 12 percent.
The department is keeping in regular contact with all water suppliers and urges them to regularly measure water levels in wells and to monitor the capacity of their water supply lakes and reservoirs. If shortages are anticipated in coming months, the department urges systems to implement conservation measures as soon as possible.
The department urges any public water supply experiencing drought-related problems to contact its Public Drinking Water Branch at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.
