07/21/2021
Citizens asked to conserve water
Equipment failure at chemical plant impacts ability to treat water
Casper, Wyoming. The Central Wyoming Regional Water System (RWS) is asking area residents, businesses, churches, and schools to conserve water. The RWS request is linked to an equipment failure at a major water treatment chemical manufacturing plant, which could impact the ability of the facility to treat enough water to meet high summer demand. The chemical enables the facility to treat an additional 18 million gallons of water per day needed to meet the water demand from irrigating lawns during the summer months.
The chemical in short supply is used to treat the surface water drawn from the North Platte River. The Central Wyoming Regional Water System has two sources of water ‐ groundwater and the North Platte River. During the summer months, 70% of the water produced is drawn from the North Platte River with the remaining 30% provided by the ground water source. Groundwater is pumped from the North Platte River alluvial aquifer via 29 wells.
“The plant definitely can provide the region with enough safe drinking water; the concern is really with irrigation and the increase of usage from that activity,” stated Public Information Officer Beth Andress. “All water in the system is held to the same high standard—that it will be for drinking. Even the water used to wash your car is drinking water,” continued Andress.
Customers of the Central Wyoming Regional Water System include the City of Casper, Mile‐Hi Improvement District, Salt Creek JPB (Midwest & Edgerton), Wardwell Water & Sewer District (Wardwell & Bar Nunn), Pioneer Water & Sewer District, Poison Spider Improvement District, 33 Mile Road Improvement & Service District, Sandy Lake Estate Improvement District, and Lakeview Improvement & Service District.
Water conservation practices from landscape experts include:
• Significantly reduce the amount of water used for irrigation purposes---just enough to prevent browning
• Water lawns and gardens during cooler hours. Refrain from watering from 10 am to 5 pm
• Avoid watering during windy conditions
• Repair leaking sprinkler systems
• For trees, water with a hose and move the hose slowly around the trunk. New trees should be watered 2-3 times per week and established trees watered 2-3 times per month
• Don’t allow water to pool or run along gutters or alleyways
• Use a hose nozzle with an automatic shut off when washing vehicles
• Use a broom rather than water to clean hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways
RWS expects chemical supply disruption to continue through mid‐August. “At this time, we do not want to institute lawn watering restrictions,” informed Andress. “We believe our water users will help us conserve.” The conservation request does not apply to those who use wells or raw water for their water source
