City of Arkansas City

Did you know that the average U.S. household consumes roughly 400 gallons of water daily, or about 100 gallons per person? Fortunately, there are many affordable and free ways to conserve water. Small changes can make significant differences - try one today and soon it will become routine.

Here are some simple water conservation tips:

• Take shorter showers - a five-minute shower uses only 4-5 gallons compared to up to 50 gallons for a bath
• Turn off water while brushing teeth, washing hair or shaving to save up to 500 gallons monthly
• Install water-efficient showerheads - they're economical, easy to install, and can save up to 750 gallons monthly
• Only run clothes washers and dishwashers with full loads to save approximately 1,000 gallons monthly
• Water plants only when necessary
• Fix leaky toilets and faucets - replacing washers is inexpensive and quick

To check for toilet leaks, place food coloring in the tank and wait. If it appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it or installing a more efficient model can save up to 1,500 gallons monthly.

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION: All water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For information about contaminants and potential health effects, call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

EPA regulations limit contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. We treat our water according to these standards. FDA regulations establish similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

Some individuals may be particularly vulnerable to certain water contaminants, including those with compromised immune systems (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients), the elderly, and infants. These groups should seek advice from healthcare providers about water consumption.

WATER SOURCE INFORMATION: Arkansas City's water comes from 9 ground water wells west of the Illinois River. An alternate supply from the Walnut River is available but hasn't been used in recent years. The treatment facility softens and filters water at a rate of up to 7 million gallons daily, with average delivery in 2016 being 2.6 million gallons per day.

Stream Maintenance and Water Quality FAQ

1. Do I need a permit to remove stream obstructions?

   If you follow the best practices outlined here, no permit is required. Note that other federal, state, or local regulations may apply depending on the work being done. Failure to follow these practices may result in penalties and remediation requirements.

2. Why remove stream obstructions?

   After floods, debris, vegetation, and fallen trees often collect around bridges and culverts, blocking water flow. This material should be removed to maintain bridge and culvert stability and ensure proper water passage.

3. What's the proper way to remove stream obstructions?

   Work from the stream bank or nearby bridge whenever possible. Heavy equipment (bulldozers, tractors, loaders) should not enter the stream. If bank access isn't feasible, minimize disturbance by using rubber-tired equipment and limiting access to a single perpendicular crossing. Significant disturbance may require permits.

4. How should I access streams?

   Use overland routes as much as possible and minimize access points to the stream bed. Don't use the stream as a roadway. Creating access roads may require state and local floodplain permits and water quality certification. Contact Kentucky Division of Water at (502) 564-3410 or water@ky.gov for more information.

5. What are riparian buffers and why matter?

   Riparian buffers are vegetation growing along streams that control erosion and filter pollutants and runoff. They absorb excess nutrients from agricultural operations and prevent property loss by intercepting water that could erode stream banks, which also reduces flooding. Leaving 25-50 feet from the top of stream banks undisturbed is recommended.