SMOKE TESTING
The City is going to conduct a smoke test of our sewer system beginning Monday November 6, 2012.
We are concerned about possible leaks in the city’s sanitary sewer system. Leaks can allow large amounts
of rain water to enter our wastewater system and cause undue strain on the system. Make sure basement
floor drains or any unused drains in your home or business are full of water so smoke doesn’t come back
into your home. During the testing, workers will be walking through the neighborhood to detect any smoke
surfacing over sewer line routes. Do not panic if you see smoke from the test in your home or business, the
smoke is harmless; just call City Hall at 795-4433.

STAGE 2 WATER WARNING UPDATE
The City Clerk and I went to Iola for a meeting of the Neosho/Cottonwood River Basin Watershed Assurance
District this past Thursday evening. It was interesting to say the least.  The details are too complex to go into
here, but I assure you the water situation is not good. The remaining reserve water that the District has rights
to from John Redmond is at 42%. The welcome rains we received recently have not had an impact on the water
reserve except to reduce releasing water from the reserve for a short period of time until the local run-off is gone.
It will take considerable run off or flooding above John Redmond and Council Grove to replenish the reserve.
I have compared the water consumption reports for 2010, 2011 and 2012. September 2012 water consumption was
17% less than it was in September 2011, so it appears you have been doing a good job of conserving water. I want
to especially thank the Oswego School system, they have reduced their consumption dramatically by cutting back
on watering their ball fields, etc.

I am sure you are as tired of hearing about the Water Warning as I am about writing about
it, but it is imperative that everyone knows the severity of this situation.  Even though we
have had some rain recently, the situation is even more serious now than it has been in the
past. I don’t want anyone to panic, but I do need to let you know how severe the situation is
and the need for everyone to conserve water.

We are in a water situation now that most of us have never seen before.The current problem
is the amount of reserve water John Redmond Dam contains and how much is being withdrawn
vs. how much is running into it. The reserve right now in John Redmond is at about 45%. That
may seem like a lot of water but in actuality it won’t last more than 6-8 months if we don’t get
some rain run-off. In an attempt to make the water last as long as possible the reservoir has
only been releasing enough water to make it to Chetopa, the end of the water district.

It appears the extreme heat has broken and we have gotten some welcomed rain.  However, the water
level of the Neosho, our source of water, remains low and the Water Warning remains in effect.  Please
continue to be cautious about the amount of water you use for things that aren’t necessary.  John Redmond
Reservoir feeds the Neosho River and unless we have a considerable amount of rain runoff this fall or next
spring that source could be depleted by next summer.

The Geriatrics Correctional Facility (formerly LCCC) is in the process of hiring.  Jobs are being posted and can
be found on the Kansas website www.jobs.ks.gov.  If you are interested in employment check this site regularly
so you don’t miss any postings.
  
The water line project is complete except for a little yard work and reseeding.  If they haven’t been back to finish
the repair on your yard or you have a problem with how it was repaired call City Hall immediately at 795-4433 and
report this.  We will give the list to the contractor.  Any reseeding that remains undone will be done in a few weeks
when it cools a little bit and hopefully we get more moisture so the seed will germinate.
Glenn Fischer, Mayor  

WATER WARNING FOR NONESSENTIAL WATER USE
With the continuation of the State of Kansas drought declaration, the lack of inflow and current and
predicted reservoir levels if conditions continue through this fall, the Kansas Water Office is issuing
a Water Warning for the Cottonwood and Neosho River Basins Water Assurance District No. 3 reservoirs. 
The warning will continue until it is declared by resolution of the Governing Body to have ended.

The City of Oswego is a member of the Cottonwood and Neosho River Basins Water Assurance District No. 3. 
The city pays an annual fee to the Water Assurance District for water storage in their reservoirs.  Releases
from these reservoirs have been occurring since the latter part of June. While there is sufficient water available,
it is important that we begin conservation measures to ensure we continue to have water availability if the drought
continues through the fall. 

UNDER THE CITY’S WATER CONSERVATION PLAN THE IMPLEMENTION OF WATER WARNING REQUIRES THAT
WATER UTILITY CUSTOMERS OF THE CITY OF OSWEGO SHALL:

1) Residents with odd-numbered addresses shall only water on odd days; even addresses will only water
  on even days.
2) Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing is restricted to before 10:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
3) Refilling of swimming pools will only be allowed one day a week after sunset.
4) Outdoor watering is restricted to use of a hand held hose or bucket only.
5) Waste of water is prohibited – leaks should be repaired as soon as possible.

WATER CONSTRUCTION CREWS are working at 1)  Vermont and Liberty Streets; 2) Sixth and Kansas Streets;
4) Alley between Illinois and Commercial, north of Sixth Street; and 5) the boring crew continues to work at Fourth
Street and Highway 59.
 
HOME GRANT INFORMATION
Information for submitting applications to seek funding for rehabilitation under the HOME grant program will be
included IN a mailing with the December water bill that will be mailed on Tuesday, December 27th.  Please watch
for this information! 

Construction Crews are working at the following locations:  1)  Second & California Streets, and will work west
on Second Street;  2)  A and Illinois Streets then working south on Illinois; 3) In the alley between Commercial
& Illinois Streets in the 400 block (between 4th & 5th Streets); and 4)  Broing crew is working at the Intersection
of 4th & Vermont Streets.  
 
We've received several calls from individuals reporting they have received a call from the Wichita area asking
them to take a survey about their drinking water.  The caller asks questions about the water and explains that
if you take a survey you will receive a choice of various gifts.   One individual said they took the survey and the
next day they called back and said they would bring the gift to them for taking the survey. 

Water Construction Crews are working in the following locations:  1)  Alley between Illinois and Commercial north of
Fourth Street; 2) Fifth & Jefferson Streets; 3) North on Wallace Road; 4) Boring under Highway and Railroad at Fourth
Street & US Highway 59.

Replacement of culverts and hauling of rock. 
For the past few years the city has been charging a labor and equipment fee for replacing culverts and hauling the rock
used to cover them.  Since implementing this policy fewer culverts have been replaced.  This policy has now been
changed: Only the price of the culvert and rock will be charged.  We hope that by making this change more citizens will
replace their culverts when needed.  Replacing the culvert helps drain the water away from the streets and will help to
prolong the life of the street.

The typical culvert size is 8” diameter and 20’ length, and approximately 4 Ton of rock is needed to install it, for an
estimated cost of $215, plus tax. The culvert and rock are sold at the city’s cost.  Price may vary based on diameter
and length of the culvert as well as changes in current pricing of the materials.

I recently read the following: “ Success is the intentional, premeditated use of choice and decision. Unless
you choose with certainty what it is you want, you will accept table scraps by default. The nature and direction
of your life or organization changes the instant you decide what goals you want to pursue”. With that thought in
mind, the City of Oswego is having a  Strategic Long Range Planning Session on November 12. I am again asking
each of you for your input on what you think would make Oswego better. Your ideas are important to me, please
call or send me an email.