"If kids can get it, adults should be able to," Carolyn Brewer said Tuesday, Aug. 7, of her informal organization of about a dozen Montour area youngsters. Called "Kids that Care," they made a poster urging water conservation and hung it in the Montour Post Office. They also planned to display a second poster this week at the Meskwaki Powwow.
"Our water tower is turning over three times a day," Montour Mayor Susan Eberhart said. "For a town of 246 (persons) that's ridiculous. Some (residents) are doing great, some are not."
Brewer said residents need to stop using water for recreational purposes including swimming pools and to stop watering lawns of which she said grass is dormant.
Article Photos
“Kids That Care” share one of their posters with Montour Mayor Sue Eberhart at City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The young people included Sia Bear, Nathan Bear, Bella Bear, Ella Wanatee, Evan Biebe, Aslynn Large, Miaklya Large, Tanner Large, Olivia Biebe and Nathaniel Palmderez were among the youngsters origanized into “Kids That Care” in Montour by Carolyn Brewer to urge water conservation during the drought. Eberhart termed what she said is overuse of water in Montour “ridiculous.” News-Herald/John Speer
Eberhart said for every minute a garden hose runs five gallons of water is used according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Eberhart said there has been concern in Montour almost the entire summer as drought conditions have worsened.
The town is served by 50 ft. deep shallow wells and a water tower with a capacity of 25,000 gallons.
Article Map
She said water usage totaled some 1,800,000 gallons during July, about three times what average usage should be.
She said fears about the need to replace the water tower and pumping equipment have resulted.