MARCH 12, 2013
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT
516 SOUTH 8TH STREET
CLARINDA, IOWA51632
1-800-579-8068
web site:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON
WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION PLANS
1. WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF WATER FOR SWRWD AND THEIR LIMITATIONS?
SWRWD has two water supplies that operate independently of each other. The District has a network of about 900 miles of waterline in Page, Montgomery, Fremont, and Taylor counties. The District provides water service to 1940 metered water connections and the towns of Blanchard, Coin, College Springs, Elmo, MO., New Market, Northboro, Yorktown, and WestboroMo.
The east section of this regional system is served by water purchased from the City of Clarinda. The Clarinda supply is taken from the WestNodawayRiver. A new water plant was built and placed into service in Clarinda in 2007. The District has a 40 year contract with the city to pump a maximum of 1 million gallons a day. On July 15, 2012 the Water District had a peak 24 hour pumping day of 480,000 gallons or 48% of the 1 MGD water supply capacity.
The west and north sections of the SWRWD system is supplied by water purchased from the City of Red Oak. The Red Oak water supply comes from wells drilled into the Dakota aquifer. The District has a [1996] 40 year contract with Red Oak to pump a maximum of 459,000 gallons per day. On July 15, 2012 the District had a peak 24 hour pumping day of 365,000 of 80% of the 459,000 GPD water supply capacity.
The District has some capability to interconnect the two water supplies for emergency backup conditions if necessary.
2. HOW MUCH ELEVATED WATER DISTRIBUTION STORAGE DOES SWRWD HAVE?
SWRWD has 3 elevated water towers that control pressure in 3 different pressure zones. The east section of the system has a 500,000 gallon water tower which is supplied by a 770 GPM pumping station. The north section of the regional system located in northern Page county and Montgomery county has a 500,000 gallon water tower supplied by a 450 GPM pumping station. The west section of the system has a 300,000 gallon water tower which is supplied by a 260 GPM pumping station. During peak water consumption each water tower can provide between 24 and 30 hours of water service capacity without pumping water.
3. WHICH WATER SUPPLY IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN DURING A DROUGHT?
SWRWD has some concerns about both water supplies. If the drought continues through this year and the excessive heat returns during the summer months all water resources in southwest Iowa will be affected.
The W. Nodaway River water supply from Clarinda may show a reduction in flow over the water intake dam. This water flow rate is monitored daily during drought conditions. Should this rate of flow reach specified conditions, the District will comply with the CITY OF CLARINDA WATER CONSERVATION PLAN. This plan is outlined in the following level of conditions: Water Watch, Water Warning, and Water Emergency. SWRWD customers served by the Clarinda water supply will be notified by mail if any conditions are posted.
The water use restrictions will be included with the notification and also posted on the District’s web site:
In 2012 the groundwater supply from Red Oakhad revealed little change in pumping capacity due to the drought conditions. However if these dry conditions continue this year the groundwater supply may become restricted. The District will comply with the CITYOF RED OAK WATER CONSERVATION ordinance. SWRWD customers served by the Red Oak water supply will be notified by mail if any conservation conditions are reported
The water use restrictions will be included with the notification and also posted on the District’s web site:
4. HAS SWRWD UPGRADED -IMPROVED ITS WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES RECENTLY?
The past 5 years SWRWD has invested in capital improvement projects to its water supply and distribution system.
In 2007 the District invested $4.5 million dollars in the new WTP project in Clarinda. This project was cost shared with the City of Clarinda. This improved the water quality and water supply capacity to the East Service Area.
In 2009 the District constructed a new 770 GPM pumping station on the west side of Clarinda. This pumping station replaced the 1979 smaller below ground pump station. This project cost $540,970.00 which was financed by capital reserve accounts and a USDA grant.
In 2010 and 2011the District replaced or rebuilt the motors-pumps in the Montgomery Co. pumping station. These pumps are designed at 450 GPM. The cost for this work and new motors was $6,852.00.
5. WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE CAPACITIES OF THE SYSTEM?
The District has 24 hour computer monitoring programs to control its pumps and water tower levels. This system has a specific set of alarms and pre-set points to reduce water loss and assist with management of water pumping operations.
The District monitors water pumped ever 24 hours and has operating procedures to locate and repair leaks in the regional water system. In 2012 the District maintained a 14% water loss which is within engineering operating standards of rural water systems.
The District requests that all customers call the office if they ever experiencelow water pressure. The SWRWD office number is 1-800-579-8068.
6. WHAT ARE PRIORITY ALLOCATIONS?
1ST priority – human consumption and sanitation
2nd priority – livestock
3rd priority – all other use, spraying, watering
These priority allocations will be used if a WATER CONSERVATION PLAN is activated.
7. CONCLUSION
We will continue to be focused on the current drought conditions and maintain communications to both cities that provide our water supplies. Obviously the best case scenario would be to see plentiful spring rains. Because we are so far behind in average rainfall, it will take sometime for the groundwater levels to return back to normal.
Climatologists are not optimistic for the near future. The worst case scenario will see very minimal rainfall this spring and above average temperatures. If this happens, it is possible that restrictions on usage will occur. Practicing water conservation is always important and if we all do our part, some of the potential shortages can be mitigated. We encourage our rural water customers to take an active role in being aware of the current drought conditions and visit our web site at as updated information is made available to you by SWRWD.