Storm Lake, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — The city of Storm Lake has lifted its ban on optional water usage. Mandatory conservation restrictions were declared in mid-July. Not one but TWO city wells were out of commission, and despite the city asking citizens to voluntarily conserve water, usage was nearing the maximum capacity for the city’s treatment system.

City Manager Keri Navratil says BOTH wells have been returned to service and the period of high summer usage should be over or nearly over. She has issued a statement thanking the community for their cooperation and says the city was able to maintain an ample supply of water for everyone’s daily needs while still maintaining the necessary reserve in case it was needed for the Storm Lake Fire Department.

Navratil says steady population growth taxed the community’s infrastructure to the point where new wells were developed and a new water tower constructed. Long-range plan include a new treatment plant.

Although the mandatory conservation period is over the city is still asking citizens not to waste the precious resource.