The water supply, as evidenced by the amount of water we were able to maintain in the water storage towers, was showing a decline in early June, but it was not critical.  Then, as dry weather continued, the demand grew beyond our capacity to meet it and we asked the media to help us inform our customers of the need to to move to odd/even watering restrictions. 

We had anticipated odd-even restrictions would alleviate and/or reduce the impact that the lack of rain caused in our water system. Unfortunately, the request for voluntary odd-even watering restrictions did not reach our customers quickly enough to reduce the stress on our water system. 

The continued lack of precipitation, coupled with the fact that our voluntary watering restrictions were not communicated early enough led to our water system reaching a critical stage late on June 9 and 10. 

We were left with only one course of action: immediately turn off all irrigation systems, send the word to the media (television stations, radio stations, newspapers, City cable access channel, fire departments, web page, etc.) and do everything that we possibly could to prevent the depressurization of the water system.

We also worked with the City of Bellbrook, City of Fairborn and Montgomery County Sanitary Engineering Department to establish temporary connections to keep our system pressurized.

Depressurization of the water system demands immediate action; action that is unpopular, but necessary.  If the system had depressurized (fallen below 20 pounds per square inch of pressure), it is possible for water already in buildings to flow back into the system, possibly leaving it open to contamination.  In the event of depressurization, the County would have been required to issue a "boil water advisory" to all of our customers. In other words, anyone using water from our system for drinking or cooking would have had to boil it first.

Another major concern with the demand put on the water system was our capability to provide water to fight fires could have been severely affected due to the dramatic increase in the use of irrigation water.

During most years, the County produces more than an adequate amount of water to meet customer’s needs in the Northwest Regional Water System.  Demand during winter months is normally 3 to 4 million gallons.  The plant can produce up to 6 million gallons per day at full capacity, although it is rated at 5 million gallons per day.  During the critical period in June, demand exceeded 7 million gallons per day, leading to the system reaching a critical stage of operation.