Blistering hot temperatures combined with a mechanical breakdown at a well at Bongard's Creameries plant are straining Perham's city water supplies.
The city is continuing its water conservation measures, following Bongard's temporary loss of one of its wells.
The company operates its own wells for its production process, but since Saturday has tapped into the Perham city water until repairs are made.
As a result, Perham's three primary wells have been operating nearly around the clock--pumping 2.3 million gallons of water per day. This compares to the city's average of 1.6 million gallons.
"If we go beyond about 1.5 million gallons for much longer, we're going to need to look at long term restrictions," said City Manager Bob Louiseau.
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Bongard's placed a rush order for equipment to repair its wells, and was expecting to be back on line by the time this edition of the Perham Enterprise Bulletin is published.
Plant maintenance manager, Tony Ellingson, expected the repairs to be completed by July 24. The mechanical failure, which occurred Saturday, caused no slowdown in manufacturing product, noted Ellingson.
The Bongard's Creameries plant in Perham operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A sustained dry spell forces the city to overwork the wells and pumps--which means more stress on equipment and more potential for breakdown, said Louiseau.
The city is asking property owners to continue with the watering schedule that has been in effect for the past few weeks.
Lawns cannot be watered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Residents with odd house numbers can water lawns or wash cars only on odd numbered days. Homeowners on even numbered addresses can water on even days.
The city's new water restriction ordinance allows one warning before citations and fines are enforced. For a second violation, a $25 fine; and for a third violation, a $50 fine.
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If the violation occurs four or more times, the city will shut-off water service for an indefinite period of time.
Homeowners and businesses with newly seeded or sodded lawns are exempt from the conservation measures.
