Thanks to recent hot, dry weather conditions, Clark County residents are being asked to voluntarily conserve water.
Winchester Municipal Utilities issued a Phase 1 Water Shortage Advisory today, asking customers to limit non-essential water use.
According to WMU General Manager Mike Flynn, non-essential use includes watering lawns, washing vehicles and filling swimming pools. Customers also are asked to limit ornamental water usages, like watering flowers.
“We were hopeful we were gonna get some rain last night, and all the precipitation bypassed us, it seems like. ... Our existing conditions will dictate when and if we move to Phase 2,” Flynn said.
WMU also provides water to Kentucky American Water and East Clark County Water District, so all Clark County residents are affected by the advisory, Flynn said. Weather conditions will determine when and if the advisory is lifted, or if water conservation efforts become mandatory.
“We’ve seen an extreme amount of use of water, and we need help in order to restore water levels in the elevated storage tanks, and overall system pressure,” Flynn said.
If customers comply with the voluntary measures, Flynn said WMU officials may not have to implement Phase 2.
“If people work with us, and conserve water where they can, I¿don’t see that we’ll have to issue a Phase 2,” Flynn said.
According to the National Weather Service, there is a slight chance of rain early this week, but high temperatures are still expected to be in the mid 90s.
For more information on the Phase 1 Water Shortage Advisory, contact WMU at 744-5434.
Contact Rachel Gilliam at rparsons@winchestersun.com.
