With less and less water flowing through the Kentucky River, an even more severe water shortage emergency could soon follow, said Nick Rowe, director of operations for Kentucky-American. At that stage, the water company would ask customers to restrict their use to 40 gallons per day, per person. The only step beyond that is rationing water. Kentucky-American's customers used 61 million gallons on Tuesday. If the water company withdraws 65 percent of the water flowing through the river two consecutive days, the area's first-ever water shortage emergency would be declared.
Rain is forecast for tonight.
National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Beauvois said an inch is possible. If that arrives, it still might not be enough. If the amount of water flowing through the river remains at yesterday's level, customers would have to use less than 48 million gallons a day to prevent a water shortage emergency. The water company could open valves to let water in dams move downriver if water stops flowing over the dams. On July 20, the city declared a water shortage partial alert that restricted lawn watering and car washing.