Brownsburg could put ban on unessential water use this week

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) - Recent rains haven't been enough to help water levels across central Indiana.

Monday, Delphi's mayor signed an emergency declaration asking people to conserve water in their Carroll County city.

In Hendricks County, Brownsburg city leaders will make a decision on a watering ban in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Mike Good, the town’s water superintendent, said his towers in town are nearing critical levels.

They’ve been sitting at 25 to 30 feet of water, which Good said is OK, but he’s worried about the levels in the tower nearing 20 feet.

“I do not want to get below 20 feet, because to me, we are getting to a critical state, and I don’t want to be like Bargersville, where one of our towers goes empty ,” said Good.

He said the town has been using about 2.9 million gallons of water a day. In spring, the town uses half that amount.

At this point, Good is asking people to voluntarily conserve. But he warns the situation could escalate within hours if people don’t.

“If we don’t start gaining, it’s very possible in next 24-48 hours we could have a ban,” said Good.

Other community water superintendents are equally concerned.

There is a voluntary ban in Danville right now.

Jim Russell, superintendent of Danville Water Utility, said water users in town will see a flier in their bills reminding them to conserve. He also plans to go door-to-door himself to ask water users to slow down or stop.

“We're wanting people to volunteer to not use water unless they have to,” said Russell.

Russell said Danville has used between 1.3 million and 1.5 million gallons of water a day. Right now, the town is asking customers south of U.S. 36 to only water on odd days. Those north of U.S. 36 should water on even days.

Other communities like Whitestown have had a ban on unessential water use for the past week. A representative there said that will continue indefinitely.

In Indianapolis, Citizens Water officials said without a good rain, a ban could be put in place this week , which would mean fines if you’re caught watering your lawn.