SAVE ON WATER, SAYS CITY; VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION URGED

Cape Girardeau city officials don't want to make a big splash. They hope residents won't either.

With the city's water system running at capacity, Water Division manager Kevin Priester urged residents Friday to voluntarily conserve water.

The request follows similar announcements in recent days by Scott City, Mo., officials and the manager of the Fruitland, Mo., water district.

The hot weather has led to increased water usage, putting a strain on area water systems.

Priester said the high demand has forced the city to use reserves from its water storage tanks.

On an average day of the year, Cape Girardeau's 15,000 water customers use just over 5 million gallons a day, he said. Currently, usage is around 6.8 million gallons a day.

"Our main concern now is that there could be a problem if there is a water main break, a mechanical failure or a major fire," Priester said.

He is uncertain how long residents will be asked to conserve water.

That depends on the weather. A good rain would ease the strain on the city's water system by lessening the need for residents to water their lawns, he said.

Priester said there are a number of things residents can do to conserve water. They include taking shorter showers, doing only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, repairing leaking faucets, not letting the water run while washing cars, bicycles or lawn furniture, and watering the grass only when it needs it and then only in early morning or late evening.

Priester said the city issued similar requests for water conservation twice last summer. "Last year, we asked them to do this, and it worked out real well."

City officials hope to reduce demand to between 6 million and 6.5 million gallons a day.

"Then we can feel comfortable," he said. "As long as we are not losing ground, we feel we are OK."

Cape Girardeau officials hope water system improvements currently under way will eliminate the need for voluntary conservation next year.

The city is spending $15.3 million to increase water production at the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant. A 1.75-million-gallon storage tank has been installed. The city also plans to add bigger pumps and larger supply mains.

Priester said the pant project should be completed by next summer, boosting water production.

In Scott City, officials began urging residents Thursday afternoon to voluntarily conserve water. Officials said the city's four wells aren't keeping up with consumption. A fifth well is slated to go on line probably next week.

Public Water District No. 1 began urging water conservation in northern Cape Girardeau County last week. Water district manager Harold "Pee Wee" Landgraf said the high demand is largely due to residential growth.

The water system, which is served by four wells, provides about 790,000 gallons a day for its 1,575 customers in the Fruitland, Oak Ridge and Pocahontas area. The system also serves a major manufacturing plant.

Landgraf said the system's water pressure goes down from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily when people return home from work and turn on the tap.

Americans use an average of 150 gallons a day per person, he said. That takes into account water used for everything from showers to cooking.

Landgraf said the water district is waiting on a contractor to put in a new well, which could be in operation by September.