Carthage is being pro-active by encouraging water conservation by a combination of mandatory and voluntary measures.
Businesses are required to stop watering their lawns.
Second-ward Alderman Gary Smith says the city is concerned since the level at the city's lake has fallen by five feet recently.
He expects businesses will honor the ban. Smith says, “We've had good luck in the past and I think we'll probably not have any problem this time.”Businesses that ignore the order could be subject to fines.
Smith says the city is taking the measures since the level at the city's lake has fallen by five feet recently.
He says, ”It's not to a critical level. We're trying to conserve to keep us from getting to a critical level.”
Consumption is averaging 19,000 gallons a day more than at this same time last year.
The city has not yet mandated private residents to cease watering their yards. It is requesting residents reduce the frequency or completely stop watering their yards.
Smith says it will take a lot more than one good rain to replenish the lake. He says it needs a “gully-washer” to make up for the dry summer.