By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays has been in a “Water Watch” since 2012.

The declaration by the city commission requests all water users to voluntarily cut back on their indoor and outdoor water use.

Western Kansas is facing a third consecutive year of drought.

Hays Water Conservation Specialist Jason Riegel says despite the many changes and investments the city has made to conserve water, “in the long-term, rain is needed to recharge depleted aquifers.”

If that doesn’t happen, Riegel says the city will have to upgrade to a “Water Warning:”

City commissioners will discuss the possible move to a Water Warning at their meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.