Dry weather conditions across the state and Southeast Kansas, where the watersheds for Copan and Hulah lakes are located, is having an affect on Bartlesville’s water supply, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said Monday.
“We have had a tremendously dry summer/early fall and our water supply has been impacted,” Lauritsen said. “Currently, the overall water remaining is 81.6 percent and the weighted water supply, which is based on water right, is 79.4 percent.”
The numbers mean a few more dry weeks could result in outdoor watering restrictions to slow water usage and to comply with the City’s Water Shortage Ordinance, or drought plan.
“Stage 1 of the drought ordinance kicks in when the overall water remaining falls below 80 percent, which calls to advise the public on the current water situation,” Lauritsen said. “If the overall water remaining falls below 75 percent, the ordinance calls for outdoor water restrictions.
The first phase of restrictions allows outdoor watering two days per week — odd numbered properties on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and even numbered properties on Wednesdays and Sundays. Click here to view the ordinance for more details.
Lake storage remaining as of Monday:
Hulah – 76.1%
Copan – 80.8%
Hudson – 84.9%
Caney River – 100%
Overall water remaining – 81.6%
Weighted water supply based on water right – 79.4%
Average consumption last week was 6.42 million gallons per day (mgd), Lauritsen said.
“This is above our typical usage for this time of year,” he said. “It should go down as we move into cooler, and hopefully wetter, weather. As always, please be mindful of your water consumption.”
Stay tuned to City Beat for updates on this issue.