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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2005

CONTACT: Connie Kacprowicz
Communications Specialist
Office - (573) 874-7325

Columbia Water and Light issues water conservation advisory					
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Columbia Water and Light is urging customers to use water wisely during the hot, dry conditions that Columbia is currently experiencing. The utility has been pumping 20 to 21 million gallons of water each day, which is nearing the 24 million gallons a day pumping capacity of the water treatment plant. A water conservation advisory is the first stage of water conservation efforts the utility has in place which asks customers to voluntarily curtail non-essential water use.  
	Floyd Turner, manager of water operations, says, "At this point, as long as people keep their water use in check and we don't have any large water main breaks or fires, we should be able to keep up with demand. We mainly want our customers to be aware of the situation at hand and help us out as much as they can."  
	During the summer months, up to 60 percent of water consumption is used outside. Columbia Water and Light offers the following tips to help customers conserve water:
Do you need to water? 
*	Watering thoroughly, but infrequently, develops a deep root system so plants can use moisture and nutrients deep in the ground. 
*	Water according to moisture in the soil; not a fixed schedule. 
*	Lawns are dry when footprints remain in the grass long after being made. 
How much should I water?
*	Lawns need only one inch of water per week.
*	Use a tuna can or a rain gauge to accurately measure the amount of water your irrigation system delivers. 
*	Set a timer as a reminder to turn off the sprinkler. 
*	Water in the early morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., avoiding windy conditions. 
Other easy ways to conserve water outdoors:
*	Don't irrigate the pavement; choose and adjust sprinklers to fit the lawn area. 
*	Mulch to retain moisture and prevent water-robbing weeds. 
*	Mow grass to a height of 2 1/2" with a sharp blade. 
	Never use a hose to rinse off pavement; sweep leaves and grass clippings. 
	The water conservation advisory will stay in effect as long as the water pumping rate continues to be in the 20 to 21 million gallons a day. If water consumption continues to increase, Columbia Water and Light has the following water use curtailment levels in place, according to the amount of water being pumped from the Water Treatment Plant:
*	Water Conservation Advisory: When pumping levels reach 20 to 21 million gallons a day, customers will be asked to voluntarily limit their water use. Any nonessential water use would be discouraged.
*	Water Use Alert: An alert would be called if the water pumping rate reaches 22 million gallons a day. Customers would be asked to start an even - odd lawn watering schedule. If a customer's address is an even number then they could do outside watering on even dates. Odd-numbered houses could water on odd numbered dates. Washing cars and filling pools would be discouraged.
*	Water Use Warning:  If Columbia's water pumping rate reaches 23 million gallons a day, water use would be restricted to necessities only. No outside watering, car washing or pool filling would be allowed.
*	Water Emergency: Outside water use would be prohibited if the water pumping rate reached 24 million gallons a day. Customers using water outdoors could be fined up to $200. No irrigation, car washing or pool filling would be allowed.


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