Conservation is mandatory in Peabody; well put back in service
With publication of an ordinance in Wednesday's Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, mandatory restrictions on water use may be imposed at any time by the town's mayor, City Clerk Cindy Harms said Tuesday.
The city also this week re-opened the Brooks well and began pumping water to add to water coming from Hillsboro as the community continues to cope with restrictions since the discovery of potentially toxic algae in Marion Reservoir.
The well water is being treated just as it was when it was Peabody's only water source, according to Mayor Randy Dallke. He noted that by using the well, Peabody could take some pressure off of Hillsboro, which is trucking in water from McPherson for both cities.
Sharon Oursler, owner of Sharon's Korner Kitchen, said that she noticed the addition of the well water right away.
"I already have a call into Culligan to send someone to adjust the water softener," she said. "We noticed the additional hardness on the glasses and coffee cups."
Volunteers delivered notices of water restrictions house-to-house Friday evening.
The notices stated that watering lawns, washing cars, and filling swimming pools were prohibited. Previously residents had merely been discouraged from such activities.
Several local businesses complied even before the restrictions became mandatory.
Trudy Watts, director of nursing at Westview Manor, said:
"We went into our voluntary water conservation procedures as soon as the first [voluntary] notice was delivered a week ago. Our kitchen staff has switched to disposable dishes and utensils for meals. We have made an extra effort to make sure that washing machines only run with a full load, and we have cut back on the number of times we wash bedding for the residents. Unless it is soiled, we don't wash it every single day.
"Our staff is conscious of water usage, and we want to do our part. They all conserve where they can."
At Doug's Dairy Creme, owner Doug Cole said that his operation was trying to cut back on water usage wherever possible.
"We never have delivered water with meals just as a matter of course," he said. "And we are trying to be more conservative in washing dishes. Those are about the only areas where we can cut back very significantly."
At Sharon's Korner Kitchen, a sign is posted telling patrons that unless they request it, water will not be served with meals. The staff reported that patrons were willing to accept the cutback.
Marilyn Jones, a vendor with Doyle Creek Farmer's Market, reported that vendors set up Saturday morning did not anticipate a disruption in their ability to provide fresh produce in the coming weeks. Most vendors live outside the city limits and water their gardens from private wells or other water sources. The single produce vendor from within the city limits has a private well that was dug just for keeping the gardens watered.
"I'm sure we will be able to continue to provide our customers with fresh garden produce all summer," Jones said.
Sales of bottled water at the Peabody Market have taken a sizable jump since the discovery of the algae bloom was announced.
"I can't tell you exactly what the percentage is," owner Rick Turner said, "but I can tell you the increase has been really big."
Meanwhile, at the Phillips 66 convenience store, Suleiman Almawaiseh said the increase in sales of water had been fairly small.
"Some increase," he said, "but not much."
Mayor Dallke said he and the council appreciated the amount of cooperation they had received from the community in the conservation effort.
"We are still waiting on test results from the reservoir," Dallke said. "I know it seems like we aren't able to give people good information, but it simply isn't available yet. I appreciate everyone continuing to limit water use as we wait to see how this whole thing will turn out."
Dallke also said he thought the community should know that municipal employees in Peabody and Hillsboro had stepped up and made a difference.
"I appreciate their efforts and Peabody citizens should, too. It hasn't been easy on anyone, but cooperation has been tremendous. From day one of this we have been kept well-informed by the city of Hillsboro and our people have done an excellent job of getting the word out as soon as we know something," he said.
Darren Pickens, Peabody water superintendent, echoed Dallke's praise for the employees in both towns.
"This could have been a real mess, but everyone has worked well together," he said. "We've been included in information and decisions. It's been a good relationship."
Testing still is being done at a laboratory in Ohio and the results are not known. Daily updates are posted on the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin web site and may be viewed by subscribers and non-subscribers alike. The web address is http://www.peabodykansas.com.
Channel 7, the community channel, also is being updated as information is gathered, or citizens may call the city building at 983-2174.
