DECATUR - The city's water woes persist.

Lake levels continue to fall, backup water supplies are being depleted and the city is scrambling to secure more water for residents and industry.

The lake level is about 32 inches below its ideal summer level and about 10 inches below the full winter level, city administrators say.

The city in recent weeks has pumped water from a well field in DeWitt County and the Vulcan gravel pit on the city's south side.

But backup supplies of water are running low.

The DeWitt County well field was shut down Oct. 26 but may be started up again as water levels recharge, City Manager Steve Garman told members of the Decatur City Council in a memo.

The gravel pit's water "is rapidly being drained" and may have to be shut down, Garman added.

The city now is preparing to pump water from Lake Tokorozawa.

"We are completing negotiations with the Rhodes family, who own Lake Tokorozawa, for use of the water," Garman wrote. "We are also completing negotiations with Dredge America of Kansas City, Mo., to perform this work with the assistance of local organized labor."

The Decatur City Council last month voted to spend up to $540,000 to pump water temporarily from Lake Tokorozawa.

Funds will pay for temporary piping and pumping of water as the city seeks to ward off the effects of a severe drought.

The city first encouraged voluntary conservation, and in recent weeks, enacted mandatory restrictions for water users. The restrictions have reduced overall use by about 6.3 percent in October, compared with water use one year ago.

Local industries have called water their lifeblood, but they have cut back their water usage in recent weeks.

Garman said in a memo that Archer Daniels Midland Co. continues to work closely with city administrators "on an almost daily basis to ensure that ADM's water plant needs are being met as the drought continues."

Council members agreed informally last month that they are interested in purchasing Lake Tokorozawa from its private owner and lowering water intakes at the South Water Treatment Plant.

But the council made no decision about whether to build a second lake. Mayor Paul Osborne has said constructing another reservoir is an important step in securing adequate water for the community.

Before the council takes any official action, it wants to know how much the projects will cost and if local industries will financially support the work.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.