Thorsby Mayor Dearl Hilyer is asking Thorsby and Jemison residents to conserve water usage this week until all water pumps are replaced and working.

Because of the normal wear and tear on a 15-year-old pump in one of Thorsby’s wells, the pump had to be pulled, and a new one cannot be installed and online until Friday.

Public Works Director Terry Jackson said he heard a noise last week coming from well No. 6 and knew something was wrong with one of the pumps.

“We need the town of Thorsby and the city of Jemison to conserve water this week — if not we’re going to struggle,” said Hilyer. “It’s nothing to panic over, but we are asking everyone to work with us. Only one pump is in operation right now, so if [residents] can hold out this week it will help.”

“It’s not that it’s not enough water; it’s just the demand for it is so high, and we cannot keep up with the demand with one well.”

About 1.6 million gallons of water a year is pumped out of the well, and more than 8,000 gallons of water was used Sunday, according to Jackson.

“We’re asking everyone for a little help for four or five days until we can get it back to normal,” said Jackson. “Wait until everything is 100 percent before you water the grass, wash your vehicle or do any irrigation.”