Last week, we asked our community to voluntarily reduce non-essential water use due to ongoing drought conditions. We know that message sparked conversation, questions and concerns. We want to take a moment to provide clarity and reinforce why we made this this request.
The short version: this is about drought — not development — and every small action you take truly makes a difference.
Why This Matters Right Now
Central Arkansas is experiencing extremely dry conditions. In fact, according to Chief Meteorologist Todd Yakoubian, this is the driest period on record for the state dating back to 1895.
From January through March, we’ve received just 7.14 inches of rain, compared to the normal 13.41 inches. That lack of rainfall means Brewer Lake isn’t being replenished at the rate we typically see this time of year.
Even though water is still available, drought conditions put added stress on our system. Across the country, utilities facing similar conditions are asking customers to conserve early to avoid stricter restrictions later — because small changes now can prevent bigger problems down the road.
Voluntary Curtailment — For Now
Right now, this is a voluntary request.
We are asking all customers — residential and commercial — to limit non-essential water use, including:
- Irrigation and lawn watering
- Car washing
- Washing driveways and sidewalks
- Other discretionary outdoor use
This is only the second time in 15 years we’ve asked for a voluntary water curtailment. The last request occurred in September 2024 following a main break in the raw water line.
Taking action now helps protect water availability for essential needs and reduces the likelihood that stricter measures will be needed.
However, if drought conditions continue and lake levels drop further, we may move to a mandatory water curtailment.
Addressing Data Center Concerns
We’ve heard concerns about a proposed data center and want to address those directly:
- Conway Corp is not building or developing a data center
- There is no data center currently operating in Conway
- This conservation request is not related to any proposed development
This request is strictly due to drought conditions and low lake levels caused by lack of rainfall.
If a data center is developed in the future:
- It would use untreated wastewater — not drinking water — for cooling
- Potable water would only be used for basic domestic needs
We understand there are strong opinions about growth and development, and we encourage customers to share those concerns with city leadership.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
One of the biggest takeaways from drought response efforts across the country is simple: small changes add up.
Things like shortening a shower by even a minute, fixing a small leak or turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save thousands of gallons over time.
When an entire community makes those small adjustments, the impact is significant.
“While we are not currently experiencing a water shortage, the ongoing rainfall deficit is something we are monitoring closely,” Conway Corp Water Systems Manager Lee Tedford said. “Taking steps now to conserve water helps protect our system and ensures we can continue providing reliable service to our customers.”
Planning for the Future
Conway continues to grow, and Conway Corp is actively planning for future water supply needs. We regularly invest in infrastructure and long-term water resources to ensure reliable service for our community.
“Conway Corp is partnering with Community Water System on a long-term regional water project that includes an intake at Cove Creek on Greers Ferry Lake, approximately 37 miles of transmission pipeline, and a new treatment plant on the east side of Conway,” Conway Corp Water Systems Senior Engineer Mark Ferguson said. “This project will supplement water supply from Brewer Lake and provide redundancy and reliability to all our customers. We are currently in the preliminary design phase of the project with a target completion date by 2034.”
We’re All in This Together
We understand this request may feel inconvenient, especially when it comes unexpectedly. But drought conditions require a community-wide response.
By taking small, simple steps now, we can protect our water system, support our community and help ensure reliable service for everyone — today and in the future.
Thank you for doing your part to help conserve one of our most important resources.
