Small towns face water shortages

STRATTON -- After three years of drought, Stratton is among a number of Nebraska communities which could run out of water within a month.

Inadequate water supplies forced the community to institute water restrictions immediately this summer, but the move may not be enough.

The town joins 25 other Nebraska communities and rural districts restricting the use of water, compared with eight just three weeks ago. Three communities -- Osceola, Scribner and Shelton -- started restricting water use in the past week.

Some Nebraska towns may rely on milk trucks to bring them drinking water by the end of summer if the drought continues.

At least four communities -- Bruno, Humphrey, Stratton and a Madison County housing district near Norfolk -- may run out of water in the coming month if the drought doesn't let up, state officials have said. As a precaution, the state has put together a list of 185 milk haulers across the state with large, easily sanitized tanks that could haul water to dry communities in a pinch.

After more than a month under tight water restrictions, Lyman residents should soon be allowed to water their lawns again.

When one of the village's main water wells broke down in June, residents were only allowed to water their lawns on alternating days and only in the evening. Then, as the drought and local water shortage grew worse, residents were banned from watering all together after July 1.

Village Administrator Le Anne Strain said that an irrigation company has fixed the damaged well, and officials now are waiting for lab results before putting the well back in use, as early as this weekend.

"I say that smiling, because it's a relief," Strain said.

When the watering ban was put into place, residents had to haul water from the city's north tower if they wanted to water their lawns or gardens. The tower gets its water from a city well no longer used for the main system.

Once the newly-fixed well is back on-line, residents will be back on the alternating water schedule, but will be allowed to water at any time of day, Strain said.

Earlier this week, Trenton residents were advised to boil their water because of a water-main break.

McCook residents are under a voluntary daytime outdoor watering ban, which so far has kept any potential water shortage in check.