The City of Storm Lake is asking residents for help in using water in a smart and conservative manner while the area goes through an extreme heat wave combined with drought conditions.
          City clerk Justin Yarosevich says while there is no mandatory water conservation order in affect, the amount of water being used on a daily based by Storm Lake water system users has increased steadily over the past few days.  He says simple conservation techniques can be implemented now to help reduce the need for mandatory water conservation measures down the road. 
          These conservation techniques include:
          Residents and businesses should limit the watering of lawns to the late evening hours or early morning hours… from 9:00 pm to 9:00 am. Watering outside of these hours increases the amount of water that evaporates and reduces the amount that actually reaches the lawn due to the extreme heat.
          When residents or businesses do water their lawn they should direct sprinklers so that they are watering the lawn area and not the sidewalk or driveways where water just runs off into the storm water collection system.
          Yarosevich says the City appreciates the help of the community in helping to reduce the water usage during these hot, dry weather days.