Heat Leads To Water Rationing

Thursday, August 3rd 2006, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

Wildfires and intense heat are big problems across Oklahoma and now you can add water worries to the list. Several thousand people are being asked to conserve water in Rogers County.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day says Bud Silcox has a big yard, with lots of plants. He was unaware of any water rationing plan. "I hadn't heard, but I've been expecting it. I've been expecting it."

Expecting it since it is so hot and dry. Silcox and other Rogers County Rural Water District #4 customers will be notified by mail this week about the district's serious situation and will be urged to voluntarily conserve water. Ed Whitaker with Rogers County Rural Water #4: "We've got to reduce consumption or we're going to be out of water. It's that simple."

The district, which includes Oologah and Talala, can't keep up with demand. The water plant is nearly a half century old. "You know it's been there so long, it's just not efficient anymore." Water Board Chairman Ed Whitaker fears if consumption isn't reduced, there won't be enough water to fight fires. â€œOur big tower out here normally holds 300,000 gallons. It's only one-third full. So if we have a major fire, we're going to be in trouble.â€

There are other communities and water districts across Green Country that are also asking people to conserve water. They're facing the same combination of aging equipment and increased demand.

A new water treatment facility for district 4 should be finished in time for next summer, which will solve the problem. Until then, caution is urged.

Bud Silcox will cut back on watering some of his flowers and plants. But not his home grown tomatoes. "I'm going to water my tomato plants. I bought them, put them out and I like the tomatoes. I'm going to water them until the lake goes dry."

The cards being sent out will tell the rural water district's 2,700 customers what days they should water. It's voluntary right now, but if voluntary restrictions don't work it will become mandatory.

Officials say while it's a serious situation, if everyone conserves a little bit, everything will be fine.