A mandatory water rationing notice was issued by Okmulgee Rural Water District 2 on Wednesday morning as the district works to build its main tower volume back.

Rationing will continue until the main tower volume is back.

In a notice posted on the district’s website, they are working with Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA) specialist to determine that the findings are correct and do more research and diagnose the system.

“The problem we have been facing since Memorial Day weekend has been not enough pressure from our Okmulgee feed to keep up the volume in the tower,” the website said.

On Tuesday, the City of Okmulgee allowed the district to go on the bypass feed and progress was reported.

District board members, ORWA Representatives and engineer met with the City Manager of Okmulgee, their Public Works Department and Water Plant Director Wednesday. The district reported the City of Okmulgee investigating the system on their side and “at the master house inlet, as well as the engineer has come up with possible solutions to make things improve before we can actually construct the new appropriated inlet feed.”

Customers were encouraged no to do any outdoor water, pool filling, etc.

Free showers for District 2 customers were made available at the Tulsa RV Ranch north of Beggs during business hours and by request after hours.

An outdoor water spigot was also located at the Preston Water Office for customers use. It is located by the potable water buffalo tank by the chain link fence of the water office. That faucet water was drinkable.

The continual problems have been attributed to the Oklahoma record freezing temperatures of 2021, along with higher demands during such periods as three-day holidays.

District 2 posted on their website (prestonwater. com) that “we do have a project in the works to build a new inlet since we were awarded funding, but this is still months ahead and continue to work towards completion.