Creston water still looking

After days research and testing its entire water production process, Creston Waterworks did not find a design flaw within its system as water volumes have not reached desired amounts in recent weeks.

“It’s a quantity issue, not a quality,” said Creston Waterworks General Manager Steve Guthrie Wednesday. “There is no danger.”

Guthrie expects additional testing to go through each step of the process to learn where water quantity slows. The system is designed and calibrated to produce about 4,500 gallons of water a minute. But during the recent weeks, measurements are only reaching about 4,100 gallons.

Guthrie said the 400 difference is noticeable

“Especially during peak times,” he said.

Because of the shortage, last week Creston Waterworks asked its customers to voluntary begin water conservation practices. Guthrie said the peak time for water use is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Since Creston Waterworks also provides for Southern Iowa Rural Water Association, Guthrie said SIRWA has also asked its customers to do the same with conservation practices.

“SIRWA has helped and we are thankful for all the people who have responded,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the strategy will shift more toward a “working backward” process, further examining the system to better locate where and how water production is not meeting the desired amounts.