The central Kansas town of Russell is close to moving into its most stringent water conservation stage.

Russell is already in the third stage of its conservation plan, which involves restricting outside watering to one day a week. City officials have also discussed the idea of building a pipeline from an area reservoir to wells closer to town. Early estimates suggest the pipeline could cost about $25 million.

Water levels in Russell’s water wells along the Smoky Hill River are low, and the city’s conservation plan, which is under review, calls for moving into the fourth stage when levels fall about another foot.

If Russell goes into the fourth stage, most of the water would be only for human consumption.