City is under their water allotment

QUINCY - Quincy City Council is purchasing 168 acre-feet of water to increase their amount of water rights.

"We're below our instantaneous water rights right now," Mayor Jim Hemberry said Tuesday.

The city unanimously approved spending $420,000 to purchase the water rights. Each acre-foot of water cost $2,500.

City Administrator Tim Snead said the cost of the water rights is expensive but the price constantly increases and eventually their won't be any water rights left to purchase.

The water rights allow the city to use the water, he said.

Snead said certain times during the summer the city goes over their water allotment while all the wells are being used. The additional water rights will help alleviate the need during high peak use.

Councilmember Keith Anstine said he did not want to see large increases in citizen's utility rates due to the city's purchase.

The water rights were purchased from Fancher Land Investments.

Utility rates were not increased at during the city council meeting.