The underground water is coming in the nick of time, as the city may not be able to use its present main source of water, Oak Creek Reservoir, beyond this spring. City Manager David Maddox told the Sweetwater City Commission Tuesday that the reservoir is 23 feet below spillway. He warned that unless significant rains fall in the lake's watershed, the city would no longer be able to use the lake as a water source after the spring. In addition, the reservoir's water quality is poor and will continue to worsen as the lake level drops, he said.
Officials plan to mix the underground water with lake water to maintain the best quality possible.
Bad weather delayed work on the well field and pump station, Maddox said, but the project should be finished soon. He stressed that the town will continue to enforce strict water use guidelines even when the city begins to use the well water. Maddox said the well field should fulfill the city's water needs if conservation efforts are made and restrictions remain in place. The average daily use during the peak summer months last year with water restrictions was about 3 million gallons. Without restrictions, the daily use rose to about 5 million gallons.