Telerski: Talent residents responding well to voluntary curtailment order 2

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--> --> Telerski: Talent residents responding well to voluntary curtailment order By Maggie McGehee Ashland Daily Tidings Water curtailment during the summer months is nothing new to the residents of Talent. Since before the 1997 flood that knocked out the city's water supply and led to the city's current building moratorium, the city has suffered from water shortages. It was therefore no surprise to Mayor Marian Telerski when Public Works Director Lester Naught informed her that since city was placed on voluntary water curtailment two and a half weeks ago, municipal water users are doing their part. "Water usage has dropped from 1.3 million gallons (during the period) to 1 million gallons of water a day," Telerski said Wednesday. "People call City Hall and report leaky sprinkler heads and water fountains. They are very cautious. They even call and ask us if they can wash their cars. Everyone has responded quite well." However, city residents aren't the only ones doing their part. The City of Talent has switched from watering park grounds every day to every other day and adjusted automatic sprinklers to turn on at night instead of during the heat of the day when water will evaporate before plants and grass can consume it, Telerski said. "The citizens have been paying attention," Telerski said. "And they are ready to bust their neighbors. For a voluntary situation, they have been so cooperative." City officials are hoping that they can avoid imposing mandatory water curtailment if residents continue to conserve water. The ultimate test will come later this month when public works officials test the newly constructed water reservoir on Bellknap Road by filling it to capacity. The reservoir holds 1 million gallons of water and officials are waiting for a time when water is not in such scarce supply before they proceed. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing