Iowa town says water source dangerously low, puts water usage restrictions in place - KCCI Des Moines

Water emergency: Osceola enacts water restrictions

IN SIOUX CITY, OSCEOLA’S WATER WORKS SAYS IT’S IN A WATER EMERGENCY RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WATER LEVELS AT WEST LAKE ARE EXCEEDING SAFE WITHDRAWAL LIMITS. WEST LAKE IS THE CITY’S ONLY DRINKING WATER SOURCE. THE WATER EMERGENCY MEANS ALL OUTDOOR USE OF WATER IS NOW BANNED EXCEPT FOR FIRE PREVENTION. BUSINESSES MUST CUT WATER USE TO ONLY WHAT’S NEEDED TO PROVIDE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. THE OSCEOLA WATER WORKS ALSO IS ASKING SOUTHERN IOWA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION TO SWITCH ITS SYSTEM

Iowa town says water source dangerously low, puts water usage restrictions in place

Updated: 12:34 PM CDT Oct 6, 2023

Osceola Water Works officials say they're in a water emergency.Iowa's ongoing drought has left the city's lone water source, West Lake, 5 feet below normal levels, according to a news release, which goes on to say that the city is exceeding safe withdrawal limits from the lake. "The Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees is concerned with lake levels and the possibility of risking access to a safe, clean water supply for our customers," Osceola Water Works Superintendent Brandon Patterson said in the release. "Without considerable rain, the community has to come together to help conserve."Most of Clarke County is in severe drought, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor. More than two dozen counties on the eastern half of the state are in extreme or exceptional drought, according to the Monitor, while nearly every county on the western half are under moderate or severe drought conditions. Osceola water restrictions now in place include:All outdoor water use, except for fire and health hazard prevention, is prohibited.All commercial and industrial uses of water not essential in providing products or services is prohibited.Water use not necessary for the preservation of life, or the general welfare of the community is prohibited. Osceola officials have also asked the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association to switch its system to another water source, if possible.

OSCEOLA, Iowa —

Osceola Water Works officials say they're in a water emergency.

Iowa's ongoing drought has left the city's lone water source, West Lake, 5 feet below normal levels, according to a news release, which goes on to say that the city is exceeding safe withdrawal limits from the lake.

"The Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees is concerned with lake levels and the possibility of risking access to a safe, clean water supply for our customers," Osceola Water Works Superintendent Brandon Patterson said in the release. "Without considerable rain, the community has to come together to help conserve."

Most of Clarke County is in severe drought, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor. More than two dozen counties on the eastern half of the state are in extreme or exceptional drought, according to the Monitor, while nearly every county on the western half are under moderate or severe drought conditions.

Osceola water restrictions now in place include:

- All outdoor water use, except for fire and health hazard prevention, is prohibited.
- All commercial and industrial uses of water not essential in providing products or services is prohibited.
- Water use not necessary for the preservation of life, or the general welfare of the community is prohibited.

Osceola officials have also asked the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association to switch its system to another water source, if possible.