Elkhart County Emergency Management has confirmed that three wells have run dry in the County and they're checking into a handful of more reports.
But even if wells haven't completely dried up people are lacking water. Martin's Well Drilling tells us they've been working round the clock to help people having issues with their wells.
They've been busy digging new wells and lowering a lot of wells. Elkhart County Emergency Management Director, Jennifer Tobey, doesn't expect the drilling companies to get a break anytime soon. "Just with the water that we haven't received in the last month, the drought conditions we're currently in, and the fact that we're not seeing water come anytime soon in the future, my perception is that our problem is going to get worse before it gets better," said Tobey.
Local residents with struggling wells tell us they're conserving water. They've stopped watering their lawn, are taking their laundry to relatives homes, and even bathing less. Tobey said that's a smart idea. Only using water as necessary is the best thing you can do right now. "A little bit of yard watering is fine but I wouldn't do anything extensive at this time. You watering your lawn to make it green could cause your neighbor to not have water at all," said Tobey.
If your well does run dry make sure you call Emergency Management. Tobey said they can't do anything until they know about the problem. Their number is 891-2238
Tobey said that once they know your well is dry the Red Cross will step in and offer you relocation to a hotel or a lot of bottled water. Nature's Way Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation is also on standby to take care of any animals affected by dry wells.
If you do need to have your well lowered it'll cost you a couple hundred bucks.
Drilling a completely new well digs into the pockets even more, that'll run you anywhere from $2,600 to $4,500.
St. Joseph County Emergency Management said they have received no reports of dry wells in the County yet.
