(Avoca, Iowa) – Officials with the Regional Water (Regional Rural Water Association) are asking their customers to please try and conserve water, under the “Level Yellow” water restrictions. Regional water’s Board of Directors would like to remind the member customers and communities on their ATP System (this does not include the Underwood, McClelland or Weston area) that you are still in Alert Level Yellow – mandatory nonessential water restrictions. This is the second highest alert level in their Emergency Water Conservation Plan.

Regional Water General Manager Tom Kallman says “Usage is up, but the water levels in our wellfield are below last year’s levels, and we haven’t gotten through the Spring yet. We will not be able to provide water for our customers’ needs this Summer if we don’t conserve immediately. The result will be the rationing of water, something we have never had to do here.” Agricultural, commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential users are asked to observe the following reduction measures:

A. Large volume water users, including livestock confinement facilities and spraying operations should look at alternative water sources, to include Council Bluffs Water Works retail water points, as well as non-potable sources.

B. Don’t water unless absolutely necessary and only between the hours of 8 pm to 8 am.

C. Encourage the use of existing private wells where possible.

D. Commercial water users, including industries, motels, hotels and eating establishments should conduct a water usage audit to reduce water use accordingly.

E. All water users should examine their plumbing for leaks, check toilets to ensure they are not running continuously, and install water saving devices in toilets, faucets and showers. Facilities with automatic flush valves should adjust the valves to double the time between flushes.

F. Water users should reduce their shower time, use a lower level of water while bathing in a tub, shut off the water while bathing, shaving, brushing their teeth, or preparing food and only do full loads of laundry and dishes.

For more information, please visit Regional Water’s Website at rwrwa.org.