Emergency Planning Begins For Continuing Drought

While emergency management workers are preparing for snow and ice, state officials are urging water districts to update their plans for water conservation. All Kansas counties are under a drought emergency, and the drought is predicted to last into 2013. Kansas Water Office director Tracy Streeter says most of the state's public water supply systems already have conservation plans, but cities and rural water districts should update their drought plans based on their experiences this past year. The state has already updated its plan, but Streeter says that all Kansans play a role in water conservation. Residents should prepare for continued drought, if they haven't already. "We can't make it rain," says Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman. "But we can work together across government to assure all Kansans have access to necessary tools to respond to the drought." The Kansas Water Authority is holding a special meeting Wednesday to discuss possible 2013 legislation. The agenda includes approving a water quality study above the El Dorado Reservoir. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Kansas Water Office in Topeka.