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LOCK HAVEN – Both city-owned reservoirs are still in a "vulnerable" state with lower than average water levels, according to Mark Glenn, of Gwin Dobson & Foreman.
Glenn, a city-contracted engineer, provided an update regarding the water system – which is utilized by both the city and Suburban Water Authority – on Monday night.
Water levels at Ohl Reservoir – the city's largest – is meant to hold 585 million gallons of water. It's currently holding 272 gallons, Glenn said.
Water levels were lowered in February to accommodate ongoing updates required by the Department of Environmental Protection.
However, due to a dry summer, Ohl is "slow to fill," Glenn said.
Since declaring a state of emergency in October, city council directed Gwin Dobson and members of city staff to begin implementing measures in the event the levels continue to deplet.
According to Glenn, the city has roughly 70 days worth of water left. This number remains the same as previously reported a few weeks prior.
"We have gained some margin there," Glenn said.
Ohl could still be slow to refill if there's a dry winter, he said, so he stressed the importance of water conservation among the city and Suburban's customers.
When Mayor Joel Long first signed the Declaration of Emergency in October, customers were asked to reduce water consumption by 20 percent. A notice at the time was sent out to customers for both Suburban and the city.
According to Glenn's numbers, customers usage has been reduced by 7.5 percent or just under 3 million gallons per day.
"We really need to get below 2.5 million gallons at least," he said.
Glenn said the city is also looking into getting approval from the Department of Environmental Protection to reduce its Passby Flow.
"DEP is currently reviewing this request and we should have an answer this week," he said. "Which will allow us to have a lower pass by flow that's used as a conservation release."
Currently, the city must release roughly 440,000 gallons of water per day. Glenn said he hopes, with DEP's approval, that will be reduced to half that number.
"That's where we're going to gain," he said.
The city is also continue to monitor for leaks within its system and is making preparation to hook its supplemental water wells into the filtration system.
"The intent is to use supplemental water wells until Ohl is filled," Glenn said.
The wells were previously approved for use by council for the continue improvements for both Ohl and Keller Reservoir. In particular, when Keller Reservoir is reconstructed to meet DEP requirements.
Glenn said Keller is currently maintaining storage, but hasn't seen a lot of run off.
If Keller declines, "we don't have a lot of margin there."
Implementation of the wells is on its way, according to Glenn.
Various parts – such as piping and other equipment – have been ordered with some in storage until they’re able to be placed. City council previously approved expenditure following the initial declaration in October.
Glenn said he expects the wells to be operational and ready for use by mid-December.