PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. (AP) — After two years of study, Equus Beds groundwater officials will present a proposal for sustaining the aquifer at a meeting next week.

The findings will be discussed at 7 p.m. Monday meeting at Pretty Prairie Middle School.

The Hutchinson News reports water levels in southern Reno County have declined 1 to 7 feet during the past 12 years, amid a multi-year drought and increased development.

Equus Beds Groundwater Management District Manager Tim Boese says the board wants to ensure the area is operating under safe yields, or the amount of water that can be withdrawn without producing negative effects. The proposal is to reduce the recharge rate used by the district when calculating safe yield.