Date:

June 25, 2002

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
John Miriovsky, Lincoln Water System, 441-7571

Mayor Don Wesely joined the Lincoln Water System today in asking citizens to voluntarily conserve water, following Monday’s use of 90.4 million gallons. The hot and dry weather translated into high levels of water use over the weekend. From Friday, June 22 through Monday, June 25, Lincoln’s water usage topped 80 million gallons per day. Monday’s usage marked the first time since 1974 that Lincoln’s single-day usage exceeded 90 million gallons.

“Our water supply is not unlimited. In fact, water levels in our well fields as well as Platte River flows are at levels normally seen in the late summer,” said Mayor Wesely. “Our community has been very responsive when we’ve asked for help in the past. We’re encouraging good conservation measures and increased awareness to make sure we’re not wasting water in these drought-like conditions.”

Last year, the first day of 80 million gallon usage was July 6. The city used 81.5 million on Friday, 82.5 million on Saturday and 85.8 million on Sunday.

“We are a growing community, and hot dry days like these emphasize the importance of building new storage facilities and transmission pipelines, as well as additional supply and treatment facilities,” said Public Works and Utilities Director Allan Abbott.

Lincoln Water System customers can help conserve water by:

• watering during the cool part of the day.
• watering your lawn once or twice a week, allowing water to soak down to the roots (six to eight inches).
• not watering on windy days.
• adjusting sprinklers to water only the lawn, and not the sidewalk or street.
• using a broom, not a hose and water, for outdoor cleaning.
• washing your car with a pail of soapy water, using the hose only to rinse the car.