Wichita reviewing water conservation plans

Wichita officials are reviewing water conservation plans in the wake of recent rains that have filled the city’s once-dwindling reservoir.

Cheney Reservoir, which provides much of the city’s water, is nearly full and forecasts call for more precipitation this winter.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the city announced in February that Cheney Reservoir would run dry in 2015 if the drought continued. The city then launched conservation efforts, including education and rebates.

Council member Janet Miller said at a recent meeting that water conservation should be an ongoing priority, not just when there are shortages like the three-year drought that ended in August.

But city officials say they received a lot of complaints from citizens after officials earlier proposed fines up to $1,000 for chronic big water users.

Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle