Creston Waterworks appoints new officers

Creston Waterworks board trustees voted on officers at their meeting on Tuesday. The board voted in returning trustees John Tapken, Mark Eblen and Ann Levine as president, vice-president and treasurer, respectively. New board member Michele Thatcher was appointed as secretary, while Melissa Driskell remained as trustee.

At the front of Waterworks general manager Steve Guthrie’s docket was the decreasing water levels at 3-Mile Lake, the reservoir supplying Creston. With the recent low levels of precipitation, water levels have dropped by 55 inches from capacity. If dry conditions continue, Waterworks will recommend voluntary water conservation efforts.

“Our drought plan states that at roughly 72 inches we will consider voluntary drought measures,” Guthrie said.

Creston is not the only area struggling with water levels. Osceola, which uses water from West Lake, is asking citizens to cut back on water usage, saying safe water withdrawal rates are down by over 500,000 gallons a day. Current requirements include residents cleaning only essential equipment and a ban on car washing.

The board discussed policy regarding town revitalization. Waterworks would like to invest in businesses that come to Creston regarding extension and upgrading water mains. Guthrie explained that investment in a company would depend on a few things, including if the project would provide full time employment to community members.

“If we have a potential job-creator coming to town and we have the chance to assist with that, I think we should,” he said.

Driskell agreed with Guthrie, adding perspective from the other side of this potential policy.

“Being from the developer and construction side of things, it would be nice to see more done from the water department,” Driskell said.

This policy draft has been tabled until the next meeting.