MENTONE – Due to drought conditions, the town of Mentone is asking its residents to reduce their water usage by 20 to 30 percent.
In a telephone interview this morning, Town Council President Tim Croy said the town’s water table level has dropped by nearly 20 feet. Previously, it had dropped 12 feet.
The state has put Kosciusko County at Stage 2 drought conditions, halfway up a scale of four.
In 1-1/2 weeks, Croy said the town will be re-evaluated. If conditions are worse and the water table continues to fall, the town could be put at Stage 3. At that stage, residents will not be able to do things like wash cars or water their lawns or gardens.
Croy said a lot of residential homes probably don’t have wells as deep as the town’s, and the town’s newest well is deeper than the one at the park. However, if the town loses any part of its well, it could affect the town’s fire protection.
“If we can’t get water, we can’t provide protection,” Croy said.
Water meters are read on the 15th of every month. The town had been casually asking residents to reduce their water usage, but the last time meters were read, they showed higher water usage.
Ed Rock, Kosciusko Emergency Management director, said there really hasn’t been any moisture in the county. The county is at Stage 2 for drought, he said, but he’s currently not telling residents to take or not take any particular action.
“If you can do anything to conserve water, that’s great,” Rock said.
