Water restrictions eased in some north-central communities

While more of the country is slipping into drought, some communities in north-central Montana are easing their water restrictions.

Bob Painter, supervisor of the Chinook water treatment plant, said today that the amount of dirt in the water he's treating has decreased enough that the city has completely lifted its water restrictions.

"It's been pretty good for the last couple of days," he added.

The Chinook City Council lifted the restrictions July 11.

The Hill County Water District, which serves much of the county from the Big Sandy bridge west of Havre to the Liberty County border, eased...