Officials with the City of Marion are asking residents to use good judgment when using water due to the danger of exhausting the water supply at City Lake.
City Administrator Adam Ledford announced on social media Wednesday that the City of Marion had received results from the Division of Water’s water supply analysis of City Lake. He says the water supply at City Lake is roughly 8 million gallons of water which is significantly less than the 12 million gallons previously estimated from an out-of-date analysis. Currently, Ledford indicates the city uses roughly 13.5 million gallons of water a month. He notes the watershed for City Lake is roughly 1,500 acres which means that the water from that footprint eventually finds its way into the lake. As of Saturday, Ledford says the spillway at City Lake was no longer draining, thus indicating they are now operating within the city’s limited reserves. In the event of a prolonged drought or limited rainfall, Ledford said, the City is in danger of exhausting the water supply. He stressed that everyone should be doing their part to eliminate all non-essential water use at home and at work. To this end, Ledford said the city has passed two executive orders.
According to Ledford, the City of Marion is working with the Division of Water, Water Supply, Crittenden-Livingston Water District, and Webster County Water District to provide around 4 million gallons monthly to augment the city’s usage in an effort to extend the city’s limited supply. Furthermore, he said the city is working with two engineering firms who are working on options to expand available storage of drinkable water as well as utilizing the basin of Lake George to supplement water needs.
Ledford asks everyone to proceed forward with good judgment and be fully aware of the risk the summer months provide to a sufficient supply of water. He said the City of Marion remains committed to exhausting all short-term water supply options while also proceeding forward with organizing a long-term solution. Individually, he added, residents can take steps to prolong the water supply.
