Bartlesville Leaders Ask Residents To Conserve Water

Bartlesville leaders asked residents to conserve water Monday, in part because of a technical problem at the water plant.

With temperatures well into the 90s and little rain in sight, some kids are relying on sprinklers to stay cool.

And for Marie Hamilton, this helps her kill two birds with one stone.

But when she turned her water on, she noticed something was different.

"I started up my sprinkler to water the front lawn and noticed a real foul odor. It kind of stunk," said Marie Hamilton, from Bartlesville.

That may be because the town's water plant's filtration system isn't working correctly.

A city employee said until the filtration problem is fixed, city leaders are asking residents to conserve water.

"When it comes down to it, I think I will quit watering my front lawn, let it burn up, be a good citizen," Hamilton said. "That's all we can do. We need the water to drink and for other things, so lawns can be last."

For many Bartlesville residents, this was their first time hearing about the city's water conservation request.

"I didn't hear about it, but I'm glad to know," said Lori Roll.

Roll said she enjoys being in her yard, but knows certain sacrifices must be made to conserve water.

"Water is in short supply everywhere, so it's okay not to water until things get straightened out," Roll said.

The city hopes the filters will be up to speed sometime Tuesday.

Leaders say, until then, they would like people to me mindful when watering.