Michigan's community water systems flowing despite drought

Michigan’s municipal water systems appear to be holding up well as a mild drought increases demand for water.

The drought is most acute in southern parts of Michigan.

Tim Neumann is the executive director of the Michigan Rural Water Association.   He says a short-term summer drought should not affect the ground water wells that about 90 percent of community water systems in Michigan rely on.

“A lot of communities have…for what they’re servicing right now…they have a lot more capacity…and they still are not reaching their capacity yet,” says Neumann.

The situation is different south of the state border.  

This week, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources issued a water shortage warning for the entire state. The warning includes a request for voluntary water use restrictions.

Today’s rainy weather is not expected to significantly improve the drought gripping the Midwest.