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City’s water supply better than in 2002

By Shawn Linenberger - | Jul 30, 2003

High temperatures and the lack of rain haven’t given the area much relief recently, but Tonganoxie’s water supply isn’t in the dire situation it was a year ago.

With water levels hitting dangerously low levels last summer, the city enacted a ban on outside watering. But the city is in a better position this summer.

“We’ve been able to maintain around 13 feet despite the recent hot weather,” said City Administrator Shane Krull.

With water coming from the city of Bonner Springs, Tonganoxie has been limited in how much water it has available. A plant along the Kansas River has been discussed, but the expensive project wouldn’t be feasible for some time. A project extending more lines to Tonganoxie from Bonner Springs also has been discussed. But the city is hoping a third option — sharing additional water with Rural Water Districts 6 and 9 from Bonner Springs — will become a reality soon.

The city council already has approved the measure, but is waiting on RWDs 6 and 9 to give their blessing.

Thanks to a wet spring, water levels have been at satisfactory levels. In March the level was at its highest with an 18.1 reading, although the level has dropped by 1.5 feet to 0.8 of a foot each month since then.

During the summer months, city residents still are asked to abide by an odd-even watering system in which residents with even-numbered homes water on even-numbered days and residents with odd-numbered homes water on odd-numbered days.

“It was never rescinded when it was put in place last year,” Krull said about the watering plan.