Augusta council imposes water restrictions because of low water levels at city lake

? In the face of low water levels at the city lake, the Augusta City Council has imposed mandatory water restrictions on the city’s residents.

The restrictions were approved at a special meeting Monday night. City Manager Bill Keefer said residents will be able to water lawns only on odd and even days, depending on their address. Watering will be restricted to between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Keefer says the council will consider raising water rates for high usage at its meeting next Monday.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Augusta gets most of its water from El Dorado Lake but uses its city lake to meet peak demand. That lake currently has only about seven weeks of water available.