
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220239
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Joel Turner
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WATER LEVEL LOW, THOUGH NOT CRITICAL

There is no reason to worry about Roanoke's water supply - not yet, at least - city officials say.

The water level in the Carvins Cove reservoir is 9.7 feet below the spillway, but that is not unusual for this time of the year.

"There is nothing to get alarmed about. It's usually down in the fall," said Kit Kiser, Roanoke's director of utilities and operations.

Thursday, Kiser said the city has no immediate plans to ask residents and businesses to conserve water. He said the cove may appear to be lower than it is.

The reservoir usually fills up again during winter and early spring when water use decreases.

The water level is far above the record low of 24.4 feet during a long drought in 1981. Then, the city asked businesses and industries to conserve water.

The rainfall was above normal during the early months this year, but it has been below normal in recent months, contributing to the drop in the water level. For the year, rainfall is 30.5 inches, 3 inches below normal.

The city has a water conservation plan that calls for mandatory restrictions if the level drops to 28 feet below the spillway. It would prohibit the watering of gardens and lawns or the washing of cars, and would require large users to reduce their consumption.

by CNB