(STILLWATER, OK) – Stillwater City Manager Norman McNickle requests community members to conserve resources as much as possible during this significant heat wave, where multiple days of 100 degrees or greater could prove problematic on the city’s infrastructure.
Yesterday, the Water Treatment Plant hit a record output of 16 million gallons versus the typical summertime peak of 12-13 million.
“There are a multitude of areas affected by the severe heat, which we all need to be aware of and take additional caution. I have continued appreciation for staff who work outside in the elements, doing their best to ensure services are provided for our customers,” said City Manager McNickle. “I am not yet raising an alarm nor do we want to cause worries, any conservation at this time is helpful.”
Both Water and Public Works departments are addressing distribution leaks and necessary street repairs, with crews rotating on jobsites to cool down and rehydrate. Work schedules have been adjusted to 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., with on-call crews available for emergencies, in effort to safeguard employees who are working in the extreme heat conditions.
Earlier today, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the Regional Transmission Operator for wholesale power supplier Grand River Dam Authority, issued a “Conservative Operations Advisory” for its entire 14-state balancing authority (BA) area. While the advisory does not require the public to conserve energy, customers are asked to take steps to help conserve as a precaution during the hours of 2-7 p.m.
The advisory was issued to operate the bulk power system more conservatively in effort to mitigate risks associated with weather and other important factors. Per SPP, customers are requested to voluntarily conserve energy through good practice efforts of:
- Set thermostats higher than usual if health permits;
- Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, and clothes dryers until the demand for electricity decreases;
- Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using; and
- Keep doors, windows and blinds shut to keep houses cool.?
Infrastructure are not the only areas of concern. The dry weather has caused an increase for potential grass fires. Stillwater has been without rain for more than 30 days and was already more than an inch below average rainfall amounts in June (per mesonet.org). The heat and lack of rain has increased the possibility for grass fires.
Stillwater Fire Department and emergency responders are on alert and requests that everyone practice fire safety. Additional information is available at Stillwater.org/fire.
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For inquiries, contact Dawn Jones, PIO, Communications Department at (405) 742-8214 or email dawn.jones@stillwater.org.
