HALSTEAD, Kan. — With the hot, dry weather, many farmers are keeping their pivot irrigation systems working overtime.

That could bring about a few problems with farmers using too much of their allotted water from the Equus Beds. Ground Water Management District GM Tim Boese says that a lot of phone calls have been coming in from farmers wanting to know if they’re approaching their water usage limits.

He says more farmers are also applying for five-year flex accounts, which give a farmer a chance to spread their water usage out over five years, thus allowing more pumping in dry conditions. With this program, farmers can still have water left over if it’s not needed because of rainy weather. It replaces a year-by-year contract.

As far as the water levels in the Equus Beds go, Boese says the area is not in any “dire straits” when it comes to the water table at this time. The GWMD is currently testing water levels at over 500 wells and should have the results of those tests in early August.