SNYDER, Okla_This
suffocating heat has already forced one area town to impose water restrictions.
In Snyder, officials said residents are using more water than the city can
provide. So, they have put the odd-even water rationing system in place until
further notice.
Snyder
officials blame the lack of significant rainfall over the past year for their
shortage. With summer here and temperatures expected to hit 100 degrees
regularly, people are steadily chipping away at that supply.
Snyder Water Treatment
Plant Superintendent Nick Wilhowsky said he first noticed the problem last
week.
"We've
actually maxed out the capacity of this treatment plant which is a million
gallons a day. We're actually producing that. Then we are delivering over a
million gallons of water a day."
The plant pumps
about 700 gallons per minute and is delivering about 800 per minute.
"We are
going to have to do some rationing and back off on watering your garden, the
grass and swimming pools to be conservative with the water."
Snyder
officials said the main reason for water restrictions is that Tom Steed Lake is their main water source and lake
levels are seven feet below normal.
On Tuesday, Wilhowsky
told Snyder Mayor Stan Moddie about the problem. City officials then came up
with the mandatory water restriction that went into effect Thursday.
Residents west
of Highway 183 can water on odd days and those east of Highway 183 can use outside
water on the even days. The restriction also covers customers in rural area
that get their water from Snyder.
"It affects
all the people that are members of Comanche County Rural Water District #4, the
town of IndIahoma but not the city of Cache," Hope Lodes, a member of the
water district board, said.
But since the
odd-even system isn't practical for the district, they're banning outdoor
watering every day with just a few exceptions, and fining people $750 for
violating it.
"No water
for the lawns, don't fill up a pool. You can top it off, you can still water
your flowers, your plants, your trees and your live stock," Lodes said.
Wilhowsky said
he isn't sure how long the restrictions will last.
"It depends
on what the weather is going to do. Last summer was pretty tough. This summer
may be even tougher."
Snyder
officials have not come up with a fine for those who violate the mandate inside
the city. For now it's just a written warning. Wilhowsky said the water plant
is looking for other options. One is a well near the water plant he said may
help make up the difference of the gallons they need to supply. All they would
have to do is disinfect the water.
Snyder
officials also said they have a meeting scheduled with representatives from the
Environmental Protection Agency in Oklahoma
City on July 20th to work on building a new water
treatment plant.
