Rawlins Officials Warn of Possible Water Restrictions

JULY 11, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins Water Treatment Plant – Bigfoot99 file photo

Lower-than-expected groundwater levels have prompted Rawlins officials to warn of possible water restrictions.

Last month, Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill reported the city was unlikely to face water restrictions this summer, despite the low mountain snowpack. Now, one month later, officials are warning that conditions may change.

During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey announced the Sage Creek Springs, the main source of drinking water for Rawlins, isn’t producing enough to meet demand.

City Manager Sarvey reiterated that Rawlins is consuming more water than the Sage Creek Springs can provide. Sarvey added that the city’s water storage tanks are only one-third full, compounding the water problem.

Sarvey said parks crews use roughly one million gallons of water each day to maintain the city’s cemetery and other green spaces. The City Manager said crews will be asked to cut their water usage in half. Additionally, Sarvey announced that the pretreatment plant, which cleans raw water from the North Platte River before it reaches the main treatment facility, will be brought back online to supply roughly one million gallons of drinking water per day. The goal is to fill the storage tanks to at least 50% capacity.

Sarvey said city staff will continue to monitor the water supply. If the Sage Creek Springs begin producing less or water usage increases, restrictions will be enacted. However, no such measures are in effect at this time.

Sarvey said ideally, the city would use slightly less water than the springs produce, allowing the storage tanks to refill. At the current flow rate, the tanks are emptying rather than filling.

With at least two more months of hot, dry weather expected, Sarvey said he will continue updating City Council and the community on the status of the city’s water supply.