Education is key to extending and protecting the life of a local water source, local officials said.

“I think the issue is Clinton Lake is a tremendous resource and it’s one that needs to be protected,” said Douglas County Commissioner Charles Jones. “We need to care for it the best we can.”

Douglas County and Shawnee County commissioners agreed earlier this year that the elected bodies should discuss the matter of preserving Clinton Lake, a major source of drinking water for the area. Jones and Shawnee County Commissioner Ted Ensley agreed to meet on the matter.

Ensley said nothing had been decided at this time. County business has delayed meetings, he said.

“But I fully intend to sit down and speak with Commissioner Jones,” Ensley said. “We need to identify the specific issues and what Shawnee County can do to prevent contamination. Basically, we need to get some education.”

Jones says education is key in finding ways to extend the life of Clinton Lake beyond 2030. Policy-makers need to have an understanding of where the water comes from, where it goes and what happens to the lake in the process.

“We need to educate ourselves on where the resources are going and then come up with a policy,” Jones said.

A plan – the Upper Wakarusa Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy – has been designed to slow the flow of soil, waste and chemicals into the lake.

But commissioners said it also was important to talk with other area counties about the issues that affect the reservoir.

The lake is fed by the Wakarusa River and a series of streams, which make up the Upper Wakarusa Watershed. The watershed extends west into Shawnee, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

The commissioners also said it would be important to meet with officials from Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

Lawrence and Douglas County have access to another major water resource – the Kansas River. But prolonging the life of Clinton Reservoir is a good idea, officials with the Kansas Water Office said.