PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The City of Pierre is asking residents to restrict their water use. City Utilities Director Brad Palmer says the request to slow down waste water flow is voluntary.

Palmer says a sinkhole recently developed in Griffin Park along Lake Sharpe and heavy rain from a severe thunderstorm Wednesday has made the situation worse.

Palmer says the request is city-wide.

Palmer says they hope to have the sewer line repaired today and can replace the pipe faster if water use is temporarily reduced.

As a precautionary measure, because of the sewer line collapse, the swim beach and beach house at Griffin Park are closed until sewer line repairs are complete.