Recent precipitation has done little to boost the Centralia aquifer, which is currently sitting at record lows.
Andy Oien, interim water operations manager, and Public Works Director Kahle Jennings told the Centralia City Council there is still enough water to meet daily and monthly demands.
Oien said in a typical year, the aquifer would be 10 or more feet above the pump intake level. Currently it’s only 4.7 feet. The effects of the strain are even visible above ground at Borst Lake. It is tied to the aquifer and its levels are quite low.
As extra insurance that the city’s demands will be met, Public Works was able to bring another well online and plans to bring another on soon.
However, the public seems to have heeded the city’s request to conserve water, as consumption for August was lower than July. The city produced 94.3 million gallons in July and 87.7 million gallons in August.
“It does add up … that’s why we promote conservation. It definitely helps in years such as this when we’re experiencing drought – especially unprecedented drought,” Oien said. “We’re going to monitor the drought until we get our Western Washington rains.”
