THEBES, Ill. -- Residents of Thebes are going to have to hold off on washing their cars or watering their gardens for two to three weeks while the city replaces an old and ailing water pump.

On Saturday the city issued a conserve water order, asking residents to cut back on excess water usage, such as washing cars, watering gardens, filling pools and using dishwashers.

"It's just a temporary thing," said Mayor Bobbie Shafer. "It's being taken care of."

The pump was probably installed in 1970, city clerk Sheila Dodson said. After more than 30 years of use, it finally was not able to keep up with demand, she said.

Although problems with the city's water supply started to surface two weeks ago, Dodson said the cause was not immediately apparent. Because the city is replacing its main water lines, the public works department was not sure whether that had something to do with the problem.

In addition to the new main water lines, Thebes is also getting a new water storage tank that will hold more than 100,000 gallons of water.

The current water storage tank holds 40,000 gallons of water.

"We haven't been able to keep up with demand," Shafer said of the town's water usage. During the summer months, Shafer said the town goes through about 60,000 gallons of water a day.

While the upgrades on the water system are expected to be completed by the end of May, the pump replacement should be done before then.

Dodson said part of the reasoning behind the conserve water order is to let people know about the problem with the city's water system.

A notice about the conserve water order has been posted at the post office and city hall and door-to-door flyers have been given out as well.

"Most people are willing to do what they can when they know what's going on," she said.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182