Lawrence water demand up sharply in heat wave

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A Lawrence water official says the heat wave has city residents using more water per day than he can remember in his 22 years with the city.

Water plant manager Charlie Ballenger says the city has used 22 million to 23 million gallons of water a day for the past few weeks. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that's about 10 million gallons a day more than the city's yearly average.

The increased usage has forced the city's water treatment plants to run near or at full capacity. Ballenger says there is no room for problems that could impact that output.

City Manager David Corliss says the city's investments in infrastructure have Lawrence in better shape than other communities that are struggling to provide ample water for their residents.