October 9, 2023
For immediate release
City’s water conservation plan continues
In continuing to follow its Water Conservation Plan, the City of Independence has issued an update on current water conditions and a reminder to citizens about required water usage practices during the current “Water Warning.”
City Engineer John Garris provided the following update to current water conditions affecting the community (as of Monday, October 9):
• Water is and continues to be available for use.
• .05” of rain was received in the last week.
• There is minimal rain in the near-term forecast.
• Temperatures are moderating, which slows water evaporation.
• The Elk City Reservoir level is at 790.6’.
• 21,200 acre feet of water remains in storage.
Garris further reminds residents and all water customers of the Water Conservation Plan stipulations:
1. Residents with odd-numbered addresses should water lawns, plants, etc., only on odd-numbered days; even-numbered addresses water only on even-numbered days.
2. Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing, shall occur only before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
3. Outdoor watering is restricted to hand-held hoses or buckets only.
4. Golf course watering will be limited to tees and greens, following the above restrictions.
5. Refilling swimming pools is limited to one day a week, after sunset.
6. Excess water charges for consumption above winter levels will be considered.
7. Wasting of water will be prohibited, via ordinance with potential penalties enforced.
The updated, approved City ordinance outlining the conservation guidelines and setting parameters for fines and penalties for ordinance violations may be viewed on the City’s website at: https://bit.ly/WaterConservationOrdinance.
“We greatly appreciate our community’s cooperation in this effort and look forward to the day we can celebrate an end to the drought and return to normal, routine water usage practices,” Garris said.
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