DECATUR - Lake levels continue to drop, and water users in Decatur and Mount Zion are being urged to start voluntarily conserving water.

"It is extremely important that our customers understand this is an early warning for all of us to start conserving water now, rather than face the possibility of more extreme measures later," said Keith Alexander, director of water management.

Lake Decatur is about 1.5 feet below normal levels and is falling at about one-half inch per day, Alexander said.

"If customers are able to reduce their water use, then Lake Decatur may not drop to a more critical level," Alexander said. "If the lake level falls another foot, the city will have to implement mandatory water conservation measures, which have not been done since the drought of 1988."

Industries including Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Tate & Lyle have started conservation efforts. Now residents are being called on to save water.

Simple steps to conserve water include repairing leaky faucets, toilets and pipes; washing only full loads of laundry; taking shorter showers; and watering lawns and outdoor plants in the evening or early morning only if absolutely necessary.

"Most water conservation measures can save our customers money both in the short and long runs," Alexander said.

The city in recent weeks began tapping additional water resources including DeWitt County wells. City leaders continue to investigate ideas to provide for the community's future water needs.

The city council on Sept. 19 will study a plan to roll two major infrastructure projects into one.

Here's how the plan would work: The city's dredging project seeks to increase the lake's storage capacity by about 16 percent. A new sediment storage site south of Lake Decatur will be needed.

The city proposes converting the sediment storage site into a new reservoir to hold water. The site would provide about 10,000 acre feet of storage capacity, and the lake currently can hold about 21,000 acre feet of water when full.

"The present water situation further emphasizes the need for that additional water supply," said John Smith, assistant city manager for public services. "We all know it's been a very dry spring, summer, and now it appears like fall is going to follow course."

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