Meadowtown staff warn lower spring flows; council to add conservation messaging

Town water staff told the Meadowtown Town Council that spring flows are lower than typical and that the town may need to use the well earlier than usual to keep tanks full.

S9, speaking about operational details, said spring flow was "somewhere north of a 100 gallons a minute, which normally this time of year, we could be getting 300 or more." He said the well pump is 250 gallons per minute and that he ran it for half a day in March but hasn't turned it on since; he said he "may need to this week" depending on warm, windy weather. Staff and councilors said they would mark monthly well levels to track trends and could impose restrictions if levels get too low.

S5 and the Chair agreed to add water-conservation guidance to the town's monthly letter. Councilors discussed balancing reduced park watering with community events such as Memorial Day and July 24; they said preserving trees and sod is an important consideration while trying to save supply.

No mandatory restrictions were imposed at the meeting; councilors said they would monitor the situation, publish conservation guidance, and return to the issue if conditions worsen.

The council did not present a formal plan for mandatory rationing at the meeting and said further discussion would occur as data comes in.