June 14, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins Water Tank – Bigfoot99 file photo
With southern Wyoming drinking in weeks of rainy weather, the City of Rawlins is easing restrictions on water use.
On Monday, the city officials announced a more relaxed schedule of municipal water restrictions. Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill said spring run-off and rain have filled the city’s reservoirs. With tanks overflowing, Dill urged residents to use the water while they can. However, the public works director urged citizens to avoid watering during the middle of the day, when temperatures are at their highest.
Last month, the city limited residents to watering their lawns three times a week. Monday’s statement lifted nearly all restrictions on watering. Residents are now permitted to use water as they see fit. The only stipulation is for people to not water their lawns between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Dill said more rain and snowmelt have accumulated in the city’s reservoirs than expected. The public works director said the tanks are dangerously full.
Dill said the city has had to dump excess water into the area’s streams and creeks. The public works director said the large water surplus means residents should use as much water as they can before future restrictions are put into place.
Dill said the Sage Creek Springs alone are producing enough water for the city. He said any water not used is, essentially, wasted. Dill said the reservoirs will remain topped off for use later in the year.
Dill said the city reservoirs can store a month’s worth of water. The public works director said the city has additional unused water sources at the ready. Dill said he is hoping future water restrictions won’t be needed.
Dill said the pre-treatment plant will also increase the amount of water the city has access to during the summer.
The public works director said the Environmental Protection Agency requires a yearly inspection of the water tanks. A privately contracted diving team will perform the necessary inspections next week.
The city can’t rely on extremely snowy winters to fill the water tanks every year. Dill said the state of Wyoming will perform a level one water study this summer. The public works director said the year-long study will provide information on how to increase the city’s water intake.
Dill said the most likely place to find more water is at the Sage Creek Spring, south of the city. The level 1 water study will determine if more water is available in the springs.
In the meantime, Dill said the unexpected influx of water is putting pressure on the city’s water infrastructure. The public works director suggested people use the water before the rain and run-off dries up.
Residents of Rawlins are encouraged to use all the water— maybe save some of it– they can before future water restrictions are put into place.
