No water woes for city

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The heat and humidity of summer may not yet be water under the bridge (or, if you prefer, over the dam) but the City of Greencastle's water supply is in no immediate danger.

That was the word Tuesday from Mayor Sue Murray.

"Our wells are fine," the mayor said. "I just talked to Richard (Greencastle Utilities Supt. Hedge) a few minutes ago to double-check, and he said there is no problem."

Despite an extremely dry July (less than an inch of rainfall for the month), the city is "not even close" to thinking about rationing water or issuing any moratorium on watering lawns or washing cars or cattle.

Two separate actions spawned a look into the water supply.

First, there was an unfounded rumor percolating at the Putnam County Fairgrounds that the city was reportedly ordering water use to be curtailed by 4-H'ers in the livestock area.

Rest assured, no such order has been even considered by the city, nor would it likely be appropriate. And, the mayor stressed, yes, she does love animals.

Case closed.

Meanwhile, compounding the water question Tuesday was notice given to 70 East Side residences that their water service would be shut off for up to seven hours during the day.

That was due to the construction crew on the Percy Julian Drive project hitting an unexpected valve. They needed Tuesday to replace the valve, and water service was restored by mid-afternoon.

While that is now finished, the heat continues with Tuesday's high hitting 92 and highs expected to remain in the 90s through at least Saturday (with a forecast high of 96 on Thursday).

The Greencastle area has topped 90 degrees every day since July 17 with a high of 100 degrees on July 21.

Officially, the Indianapolis Airport has logged only .33 inches of rain for the month. Typically July is central Indiana's wettest month, averaging nearly 4.5 inches of rain annually.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: