Several residents in rural areas of Wildwood told city representatives their wells are dry or “pumping air.” City and state officials fear there’s little that can be done until drought conditions end.

Wildwood Planning and Parks director Joe Vujnich told city council members Tuesday that Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials confirmed water levels have dropped by as much as 50 feet in DNR's monitor well at Missouri Route 100 and Hencken Road.

Vujnich said he’s not aware of any problems with Missouri American Water, which supplies most of the city’s residents, but added that he would contact them.

Wildwood is updating residents through the city’s website. City officials ask all residents, regardless of their water source, to conserve. Outdoor uses such as watering lawns and washing cars should be among the first cutbacks, because “the resource is needed more in the home than outside,” Vujnich said.

Owners of private wells can contact DNR at 800-361-4827 with questions or write DNR’s Scotty Baumgartner at scotty.baumgartner@dnr.mo.gov.