Coralville reports water conservation helped in drought

CORALVILLE - Brown lawns in Coralville can finally get a much-needed drink after the city lifted its call for voluntary water restrictions Tuesday.

Officials reported that water usage had fallen to 2.5 million gallons a day - a 5 percent to 10 percent decrease - since it issued voluntary water restrictions a month ago. That, coupled with recent rainfall and lower temperatures, enabled the city to lift its call for conservation.

In mid-July, Coralville's water pumps were running close to 24 hours a day to meet water demands in the city.

“The concern is long-term wear and tear,” Assistant City Administrator Ellen Habel said. “With running those lengths of time, we're not able to keep up with maintenance.”

Now the pumps are running 17 to 18 hours per day, which is closer to normal for summer months.

Water Plant Superintendent Kevin Callahan said plans call for the drilling of two additional water wells, increasing pumping capacity by 600 to 800 gallons per minute. The city estimates those wells will cost $2.5 million; they're scheduled to open in January.