Background: This is REAL data. Ellis, KS is currently listed in a Stage 3 Water Emergency. Some argue that this is not reflective of the actual situation. The population of Ellis has remained approximately constant from 2004-2014. The water level in the wells is based upon the level of ground water located in the ground. The graphic provides data on the wells currently in operation (1,2,4,5,7,11,12,13). The wells are measured from the top of the well to the current water level. The measurement recorded is the ‘empty' space in the well. The corresponding % is the percent ‘full' of each well. The total height is a measurement from the bottom of the well to the top. The 3 stages are based upon the average level of all the wells.
Questions:
1. What is the current average percentage of water the wells hold? Assuming the wells actually could not ever be completely full (without the town being flooded), what numbers should be used as the maximum? Using these numbers, what is the current average percentage of water the wells hold?
2. How long will it be until each well is dry, based on the trends from 2007 to 2014? 2004 to 2014? Which should be used? Will Ellis ever run out of water?
3. How much total water was available in the wells in 2004? In 2014? Should this make a difference in deciding the stage?
4. What stage of water watch would you put Ellis in?