Dodge City urges citizens to preserve water as tower levels drop

DODGE CITY, Kan. (KWCH) — Dodge City officials are asking residents to be “Water Wise” and cut back on water use as the city’s water tower levels operate below 75% capacity, driven largely by seasonal demand from lawn and garden irrigation.

In a social media post, the city said summer irrigation can draw water from towers faster than wells can replenish it, causing tower levels to drop more quickly than they can be restored from the Ogallala Aquifer. The city said there are no mandatory restrictions at this time.

Officials encouraged citizens to take voluntary steps to reduce use, including watering lawns early in the morning to reduce evaporation, repairing leaking faucets or toilets, taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, and making sure sprinklers water grass rather than pavement or streets.

City leaders said small changes can help the system recover and protect the community’s water supply for future generations.