Recent Rains A Good Start, But Drought Water Conservation Still Top Priority

All of the recent rains have benefited the city water reservoirs but experts still say we're a long way from ending the state's crippling drought.

The drinking water reservoirs in OKC have gone up nearly 15 percent since the beginning of March, signaling a great start to the spring. And conservationists expect the levels to continue to rise as water from the recent rains continue to flow into lakes. Still, they stress that residents not rest on their laurels.

“But all the rain on Monday hardly signals the end of the long-term drought,” said City Manager Jim Couch. “We need more rain this spring and summer to make up for several dry years in a row. And we need our residents to continue taking water conservation seriously.”

Oklahoma City remains at mandatory and permanent Stage 1 watering restrictions. Residents and businesses with odd-numbered addresses may only use sprinklers on odd-numbered days, with even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days.

City water reservoirs were at the following accessible storage capacity levels as of Tuesday morning:

· Lake Hefner: 45 percent

· Lake Overholser: 32 percent

· Lake Stanley Draper: 81 percent

· Canton Lake: 18 percent

· Lake Atoka: 90 percent

· McGee Creek Lake: 89 percent

The Utilities Department provides water conservation information at www.squeezeeverydrop.com and you can look for more tips in May's water bill newsletter.