Press Release
The City of Ogallala is making upgrades to our water system controls and will be operating under reduced pressure for a few days and is requesting residents reduce or avoid watering your lawn Monday through Wednesday June 22 to 24.
Ogallala citizens are also being asked to be very mindful of water consumption for the remainder of the summer. Extreme winter drought conditions led to a significant increase in water consumption that has continued to remain high with increased temperatures, lack of moisture and seemingly amplified wind conditions. This has especially stressed the North well field’s ability to recharge quickly enough to meet demands.
When situations occur that water is drawn faster than the groundwater infiltration can recharge the well will cavitate (draw air) and result in significant damage or risk collapsing the well.
During normal years, the north wells in Ogallala have rotational pumping starting in late July to allow for recharge to keep up with demand. Those protocols were predicted to become necessary two months ahead of what is typical.
This issue of Tri-tale will have suggestions of minimizing water consumption. MANDITORY WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE NOT YET REQUIRED and by careful consideration of water use we are confident that compulsory measures can be avoided.