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All newsWater Restrictions for PUD’s Upper Fairview Water District
The State Department of Ecology has directed the PUD #1of Clallam County (PUD) to implement a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert for all water customers in the upper Fairview Water District. This alert is effective immediately.
Mike Kitz, PUD’s Water and Wastewater System Superintendent, explains that a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert requires mandatory restrictions on all outdoor water use. “No outdoor water shall be used except in an emergency situation,” says Kitz. In particular, this means no lawn/garden watering or vehicle washing.
This alert affects 566 customers, all of which are being notified directly by the PUD. The upper Fairview Water District area includes all water services south of the Olympic Motorcycle Club on Deer Park Road and south of John Jacobs Road off of O’Brien Road.
In early May, the PUD encouraged voluntary water conservation for this area in anticipation of drought related issues. These water conservation measures and concern about the drought are not unique to the PUD. In March, Governor Inslee declared a drought emergency for the North Olympic Region due to the lack of snowpack, and on May 15th, the Governor declared a statewide drought emergency as well.
There are many ways PUD customers can work to conserve water. The PUD recently launched a water conservation marketing campaign, featuring information on its website, social media channels, traditional media outlets, and customer newsletters. Water conservation tips can be found at: http://www.clallampud.net/water-saving-tips/.
Recognizing the potential for drought related issues, the PUD also began water conservation measures on all of its properties in March of this year. Doug Nass, PUD General Manager, says, “It’s important for everyone to conserve water during these times of drought so we too are taking action.” The PUD is working to conserve water by cutting back on the watering of its lawns and other greenery, and reducing vehicle washing.
The Status of Other PUD Water Systems:
Lower Fairview, Evergreen and Carlsborg Water Districts depend on groundwater. Groundwater levels are currently near normal for this time of year. It is uncertain whether the groundwater levels will be extremely low like streamflows this spring. Low groundwater can impact creek and river streamflows. This ground-surface water interaction is being watched closely this year. The outcome could be that the District issues outdoor water restrictions in all of our other water districts. We have to wait and see about taking these measures.
Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles Water Districts depend on purchased water supplied by the City of Port Angeles. We share their water source, which is the Elwha River. The PUD is coordinating with the City on their drought response.
The west-county water districts (Clallam Bay-Sekiu and Island View) do not depend on snowpack and may not experience drought-related problems but are still encouraged to conserve water.