VERSAILLES — Extended drought conditions and a drop in water levels in the aquifer that supplies a Darke County community has village leaders urging residents to start conserving water.
The notice was posted by the Village of Versailles Thursday calling for a “mandatory water reduction” to “help conserve as much water as possible,” a village spokesperson said in a statement.
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“The Village’s water supply wells have been running longer and harder for some time and the aquifer that supplies the Village ground water has dropped. With the continued forecast of dry weather for the foreseeable future, we are issuing a mandatory water reduction...until we receive rain to help supplement the water supply well fields,” the spokesperson said.
Additionally, people with outdoor home irrigation systems have been asked to stop using them immediately.
“I knew (water levels were) low, but it wasn’t mandatory before yesterday. You got to have water but you just can’t waste it,” Otis Steward of Versailles told News Center 7′s Malik Patterson on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Tom Monnin, who lives outside the village and uses well water said he’s not too concerned about the cuts and request to conserve. However he’s concerned in the long-term if the current drought continues.
“Now I’m even worried about are they going to lower (my water levels) where they are pumping at now. You just don’t know,” Monnin said.
Questions remain about how the village will enforce this order. Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker told News Center 7 he was not contacted by the village regarding water issues or enforcement and deferred further questions to Versailles village officials.
It was not immediately known if Versailles police have been asked to enforce the order or if residents are subject to penalties if irrigation systems are in use.
Residents with questions about the village’s water reduction request are asked to call the Versailles village offices at 937-526-3294.
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