Despite rain pouring down on the state during the past few days, the heat and dry soil conditions still indicate Iowa’s rumored drought will become a reality, said an ISU expert.

“It’s like winning a battle, but the war is still going on,” said William Gallus, assistant professor of geological and atmospheric sciences.

In the last two months, Ames has received less than half of the normal precipitation.

The average precipitation in April is 3.5 inches while this year, Ames received only one-half inch, Gallus said.

Gallus said the rain is good news, but it won’t stop the drought, just delay it.

“It takes six months to a year to develop a drought,” Gallus said, “so it takes a long time to get rid of a drought.”

Iowa experienced its driest spell in 45 years going into summer 2000, he said.

The areas hit hardest are the south central, central and southwest parts of the state.

However, Gallus noted some optimists believe relief may be on the horizon.

“Some people who are more positive say we shouldn’t be panicking yet because June is the wettest month of the year in Iowa,” Gallus said.

The recent rainfall should allow cities such as Ames another few weeks of good water conditions before the drought and heat waves get too serious, Gallus said.

“I know in this part of the country, the drier the soil, the more likely it is you’re going to have hotter temps,” Gallus said.

With a potential water shortage in Ames this summer, city officials are asking residents to conserve whenever possible.

Ames City Council members have voted to raise water prices by 6.6 percent starting July 1, the first increase since 1997.

Tom Neumann, Ames Water Department director, said basic water rates will increase from $6.95 to $7.30, whether residents use water or not.

The rate per 100 cubic feet of water used will also increase from $1.23 to $1.39.

“The total increase will raise monthly bills up to about $16 for the typical Ames resident,” Neumann said. “On average, this is a $2 increase per month.”

The Ames Water Department is expecting a 10-percent increase in water meter revenues, he said.

“We expect a $450,000 increase per year,” Neumann said. “We have operation expenses plus ongoing capital improvements.”

If the city needs to find water in other locations, there are two quarries where water can be pumped from, he said.

“We are pumping into the river so water can seep into the ground and supplement the well field with ground water,” Neumann said.

Hallett’s Quarry, located in the Skunk River Valley and Peterson Pits, located north of Ames, can both be used to replenish the dam along the South Skunk River.

Conserving tips

Tom Neumann, Ames Water Department director, said there are several things residents can do to help conserve water this summer:

* Water plants in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day.

* Water once a week instead of every day. Apply 1 inch moisture to encourage deep-root growth.

* Make internal water use efficient. Always do a full load of laundry unless the machine has a water-conservation cycle.

* Recycle bath water. Use it to water trees and bushes.

* Plant native Iowa bushes and plants that are more acclimated to this area. Information about these plants can be provided by ISU Extension.