Ongoing drought conditions in Southeast Kansas continue to plague the entire region with water concerns, with the City of Bartlesville this week entering Stage 3 of its drought contingency plan.
Remaining water supply levels continue to decrease due to the drought, coming in at 58.1 percent as of Monday — with weighted water supply based on water rights at 74.5 percent.
The numbers combined mean the City has entered Stage 3 of the Water Shortage Ordinance.
- Stage 3 restrictions limit outdoor water use to one time per week. Even-numbered properties are permitted to water on Saturdays and odd-numbered properties may water on Sundays. (Exceptions to the landscape watering schedule include: landscape watering by means of hand-held hose only or watering can; commercial plant nursery; brief watering for testing of a new automatic irrigation system or after repair or adjustment of an existing irrigation system; and landscape watering using non-potable water through rain water collection or grey water.)
- Prohibits the filling of any outdoor pool.
Consumption levels have dropped significantly with the cooler weather and are currently below the threshold that potentially triggers emergency water rates, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said Monday.
“Our consumption last week was 4.73 mgd (million gallons of water per day), which is just under the 4.75 mgd ceiling set for emergency water rates at this stage,” Lauritsen said.
While emergency rates have been staved off for now, Lauritsen said an increase in consumption could require the City Council to consider imposing emergency rates at their December meeting.
“If we do not see any rain in the coming weeks and we remain in Stage 3, and if our consumption increases between now and then, it is likely the council will consider implementing emergency rates at their Dec. 4 meeting,” he said.
For more information, see:
Water 101: Guide to City’s past, present & future water needs