Information
| Staff
| Conservation |
Rates |
History
| Quality
Service Sign Up
| Source Water
| Drought Plan |
Security
|
For additional information on water conservation,
click here. For information on the Ames Source Water Protection Evaluation, click here. |
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Condition |
Approximate |
City Response or Activity |
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| PHASE I | ||||
| Normal | Continuous |
Promote water conservation and efficient use of natural
resources. Encourage water recycling where possible Routine monitoring of groundwater levels |
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| PHASE II | ||||
| Approximately three to six months of substantially below normal precipitation and dropping stream flows. | Stream flow 10-20 cfs |
Install batter boards on low
head dam in River Valley Park. This increases the height of the dam by 18 inches and
creates a deeper pool of water behind the dam in the critical recharge zone. Increase frequency of groundwater level monitoring. Monitor weather patterns and predictions |
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| PHASE III | ||||
| Approximately nine months of substantially below normal precipitation and dropping stream levels. | 5-15 cfs |
Begin assembling required permits and equipment for pumping
from back-up water source into Skunk River.
Begin modified well pumping
activities to avoid localized over-pumping. |
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| PHASE IV | ||||
| Significant drop in groundwater levels while pumping, or poor recovery of groundwater levels when pumping is stopped. Little or no flow over the low head dam. |
Stream flow 3-5 cfs |
Begin pumping from back-up water source into Skunk River to
maintain pooled conditions behind the low head dam. Publicly call for voluntary water conservation. |
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| Reduce lawn and garden watering Reduce non-essential uses Encourage recycling of bath and laundry water
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| PHASE V | ||||
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Aquifer levels drop to levels where continued significant
pumping would damage the water-bearing formation. Water demand approaches or exceeds the
ability of the aquifer to deliver water.
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Stream flow 0 cfs |
Council declares a "public emergency water
shortage." Implement mandatory water reductions as provided for in the Ames Municipal Code. |
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| Limit customers to 400 cubic feet per month Prohibit outdoor lawn watering Prohibit all outdoor watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Limit garden/flower/tree watering to once per week with no more than 1 inch application Car washing only at commercial establishments that utilize recycling Enact a premium water rate for inaustere use of 1¢ per gallon Prohibit water use for all private pools and ponds Recycled water can be used without restriction.
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