City declares Olney drought contingency stage one

The Olney City Council has activated early-stage water conservation measures after recent dry conditions sent lake levels into a drought stage.

Under Ordinance O16-19, the lake level has dropped to 1134.7 feet - below the top lake level of 1143.5 feet - putting the community into Stage 1 of the Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, Interim City Administrator Arpegea Pagsuberon said. Stage 1 is voluntary, except for times to irrigate, and at this time, the City is requesting all citizens remain vigilant on our water consumption and conserve where possible, she said. During any period when Phase 1 is implemented, no watering will be allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“During the warmest times of the day, water evaporates faster, making irrigation less effective,” Pagsuberon said. “Some other steps that can be taken to conserve water include checking your toilets for leaks, shortening shower times and limiting car washing.”

The month of May has historically been wet, so in June, the Council will review the lake levels and reassess which stage of the Drought Contingency Plan we will be in, she said.

“Hopefully, we stay above Stage 1 as we continue to pray for rain!” Pagsuberon said

Phase one of Ordinance O16-19 says that “when the water level in Lake Cooper drops to a W.S. Elevation of 1135 feet (MSL), the City Administrator shall notify the governing body that such condition exists. Whenever the governing body declares by resolution the conditions exist within said City wherein an above-normal demand is made on city water supply due to conditions which exceed the normal demand for said water, the City Administrator shall be and hereby is authorized by use of media and any other source of communication to publicly urge the cooperation of all users of said water involuntarily reducing their consumption of water during said heavy usage period, and be further authorized to suggest to the public such voluntary plans for the conservation of water use as he, in his judgment deems appropriate at said time.”