Water

A boil water advisory has been issued for the City of Moline, which is located in Elk County. The city water supply has experienced a loss of pressure in the water system due to a water main break. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Chlorine residuals may also drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination. Effective immediately, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:   Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.

Hundreds of Wichitans, including two schools, go nearly a day without water.  A water main break at 45th Street North and Hillside began Thursday afternoon.  It left about 350 customers dry along with Stucky Middle School and Heights High School. Click here for photos of water main break Originally the city expected to restore water service Thursday night.  But after fixing one leak, crews found another one.  That meant hundreds of Wichitans like Greg Maddox had to find other ways to cook, brush their teeth, even flush the toilet.  And getting a shower meant taking a drive.

Depleting water supplies in Wichita could lead to use restrictions and higher bills by this summer. Wichita Public Works Director Alan King says demand could exceed the water supply in about two years. That's why he is recommending several options to the Wichita City Council to extend the city's water supply. "We need to worry about this right away," said Wichita City Councilmember Pete Meitzner. "Probably alarming for everyone to know that in summer of 2015, just a few years away, Lake Cheney would be depleted.

The rain Thursday was a welcome site considering the on-going drought conditions across Kansas.  The U.S. Drought Monitor still lists nearly 80% of Kansas in its two worst levels of drought conditions. The drought is affecting places like Cheney Reservoir, where lake levels are down.  The City of Wichita has also said it may consider water restrictions later this year. Click here for photos from Cheney Reservoir K-State Climatologist Mary Knapp spoke to a group in Pretty Prairie about the conditions and what people can do to reduce the impact.  "You can't really prevent a drought, the question is how can you withstand the impacts of the drought.

Once heir apparent to Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein, Kansas State quarterback Daniel Sams will face some serious competition thanks to the signing of junior college transfer Jake Waters. Out of all 32 members of the recruiting class announced by Kansas State on Wednesday, Waters might spark the most interest. He directed Iowa Western Community College to a national championship last season, passing for 3,501 yards. Prior to Waters' commitment, many had considered Sams the favorite for the starting job in 2013.

Water. Your mom said to drink it growing up, your coaches told you to drink it after practice, and your doctor says to drink plenty of it. But Salina Cares worries that its city's water may actually be bad for people's health. "Right now, our focus is on keeping flouride out of the water supply for two reasons," member John Boesen said. "One because its unsafe and ineffective and two because so much of it is wasted that it's damaging the environment. " The city of Salina has been fluoridating the water for 45 years, but members of Salina Cares wants them to stop.

The Warren Palace West Theater will be closed Monday night and all of Tuesday due to a main water line break. Theater officials say most of the water was in the bathroom area so there's no major damage.  They hope to get repairs done by Tuesday and open again on Wednesday.

With the lingering drought, Wichita city leaders plan to discuss water restrictions next month.  It's a step many other communities had to take last summer to deal with the continuing dry weather. Whether or not there are restrictions where you live, you can do things now to stop wasting water.  The most important change involves your toilet.  "If it's leaking, a leaking flapper can leak 10 gallons a day from your home. So change that out, it might be $5 or $7 to change  out," said Director of K-State's Prevention Pollution Institute Nancy Larson.

Wichita officials are considering water restrictions after two years of drought have Cheney Reservoir levels at 40%. Cheney is the city's main water source. City council is expected to hear options about water issues during a workshop meeting Friday the 26th. Council won't vote during that meeting. If it decides restrictions are necessary council will vote during a regular council meeting. Wichita tried to lower demand for water by charging more for residents using the most water in the summer.

"I see water as a gift," Rita Robl says.  "It's a gift that's been given to us by God. " To overuse, is to abuse that gift according Robl and Joann Stuever.  When they're not busy with their official duties as Catholic nuns, these women are running the Great Plains Earth Institute.  They say Kansas is drying up, and that means we all need to make some changes. "The midwestern part of the United States could be part of a new low rainfall or desert environment," Stuever says.