(Avoca) Regional Water Rural Water Association is urging all customers served by the Avoca Treatment Plant (ATP) system to take immediate action to reduce water usage, as water towers in the region are nearing dangerously low levels.
Despite last week’s issuance of a Level Yellow Drinking Water Advisory, water consumption has continued to increase. According to Regional Water officials, the system is now at a critical tipping point. If water towers fed by the ATP lose pressure, a Boil Water Advisory will be required immediately, and residents could experience periods with no water access at all—impacting basic daily functions like flushing toilets, showering, and cooking.
Regional Water staff are pumping the maximum amount of water possible and working tirelessly to maintain pressure, but they stress that customer conservation is the only way to prevent a widespread emergency.
The Level Yellow Advisory remains in effect and mandates nonessential water restrictions across all users on the ATP system. This advisory does not apply to in-town or rural customers of Underwood, McClelland, or Weston, who are on a separate water system.
The following mandatory water conservation measures are in place:
-Large-volume users (e.g., livestock facilities and agricultural sprayers) are urged to seek alternative water sources, such as private wells or retail water points from Harlan Municipal Utilities and Council Bluffs Water Works.
-No watering of any kind is permitted at any time.
-Private wells should be used where available.
-Commercial users such as hotels, motels, restaurants, and industries should conduct water audits to identify and implement conservation strategies.
-All users are advised to check for leaks, especially in toilets and plumbing, and to install water-saving devices in showers and faucets.
-Reduce personal usage by shortening showers, turning off water while brushing teeth or shaving, and running only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
For further updates or information, visit rwrwa.org or contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413.
