Emporia imposes mandatory water restrictions

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) - Emporia residents could be fined up to $250 and have their water supply shut off if they do not comply with mandatory water restrictions.

The Emporia City Council voted on Wednesday to impose the restrictions, beginning next week. The vote means restrictions that had previously been voluntary will be mandatory.

The move was required after the Kansas Water Office issued a water warning for the Neosho and Cottonwood River basin. City Manager Matt Zimmerman says the warning became necessary because of continued drops in the Council Grove Reservoir.

The restrictions include no residential car washing and no watering of new sod or newly seeded lawns -- although watering of lawns will be permitted on an odd/even schedule. The restrictions also apply to groups that buy water from Emporia.