Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Supply topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Pleasant staff warn of dwindling irrigation supplies; council considers reducing watering days
Summary
Public works staff reported Twin Creek irrigation flows have fallen from peak and warned the city may need to reduce watering days — possibly to one day per week after mid‑June — unless flows improve; staff emphasized leaks and unauthorized use are significant contributors.
City public works staff told the Mount Pleasant City Council on June 9 that Twin Creek irrigation flow peaked about 10 days earlier and has been declining, forcing the city to consider stricter watering restrictions.
“We’re running out of water pretty quick,” the public works official said, summarizing recent measurements and troubleshooting efforts. Staff said they have worked with neighboring irrigation entities and individual farmers to shift allocations and are hopeful they can hold current schedules until about June 15; after that date the city may need to reduce municipal watering to one day a week to protect storage and critical supplies.
Staff described how underground leaks and unauthorized use magnify demand on the system. They also noted local farmers and some West Side users have reduced usage voluntarily, which has helped. The official recommended pursuing meter installations in parts of town that lack them to improve monitoring and reduce unmetered losses.
Councilmembers and staff discussed enforcement, public communication about changed watering schedules, and the likely need to press residents to end long sprinkler runs and fix leaks. One councilmember praised a utility worker who assisted a neighbor after storm damage, noting community cooperation amid the shortage.
Next step: staff will monitor flows and return with a formal proposal if they recommend a mandatory reduction in watering days; council encouraged the city to step up public notifications if restrictions are needed.
