Hot, dry conditions in Iowa are leading to more water usage to ease the thirst of people and their plants. The water company that supplies the Quad Cities area is asking residents there to voluntarily conserve water. Iowa-American Water Company spokesperson Lisa Reisen calls it a precautionary measure to get through this hot, dry spell. She says they’re asking people to limit all nonessential water usage. She says homes with new sod and shrubbery may need water, but she says others are asked to cut back on their water usage. Iowa-American Water Company an average of 15-million gallons of water to the Quad Cities area each day. Reisen says that usually spikes up a little in the summer — but this month demand has doubled. She says just alternating watering would help. She says going to an odd-even watering schedule helps them save water. Reisen says the thirst for water already set a record. Back in 1988 during the drought they had a max day of 28-point-nine million gallons. That record stood until June 27th of this year when they pumped 31-point-nine million gallons. The Des Moines Water Works provides service for much of central Iowa and is not asking for water rationing. Assistant General Manager Randy Beavers says they’ve been running about 80-million gallons of water a day. He says they always ask people to use water wisely, like irrigating in the morning when you get less evaporation. Beaver says you should also take time to be sure you system is in good working order. He says you should be sure your sprinkler heads are working properly and watering the grass, not the pavement. Beavers says they have a capacity for 124-million gallons of water and are not worried now about the supply.
Iowa's Radio News Network
