Pratt city officials face a water dilemma. In the past, a conservative approach to water usage has been prudent because saving the resource which comes from an ever-shrinking water table has been a necessary part of conserving resources. Now, the city finds itself in a challenging position due to a new plan by Kansas Water Resources set to decrease future water allocation based on past usage.
“With a recent extension until 2023, Pratt has some time to increase water usage but we can do so only in what is called beneficial and non-wasteful manner,” said city manager Roy Eckert. “That definition is open to interpretation based on water availability, quality, irrigation use, manufacturing opportunities (current and/or future opportunities) and population needs which varies from city to city, to name only a few of the numerous variables.”
The common sense approach of conserving water has served Pratt well in the past, yet that practice may end up in decreasing future water allocations, Eckert said.
Pratt City Water Superintendent Kelvin Clay, who has 32 years of water experience in addition to a Class IV Water Management and Treatment Certification, has a conservation plan, water emergency plan and drought plan in place for Pratt. He and city staff have been working directly with the District Water Resources Office in Stafford to plan for future water needs.
“With their assistance and advice, we are anticipating increasing usage of our water allocations in the near future,” Clay said.
(Read more: News – PrattTribune – Pratt, KS)