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All newsWater Alert for Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles Water Districts
The PUD is asking water utility customers in Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles Water Districts to begin voluntary water conservation measures as a result of the area’s drought. This is a Stage 2 Water Alert from the PUD’s Drought Response Plan.
Mike Kitz, PUDs Water and Wastewater System Superintendent, says, “The Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles PUD Water Districts rely on purchased water supplied from the City of Port Angeles. The City announced this week that it declared a stage 2 water emergency, which encourages increased voluntary conservation. The PUD is coordinating our response because we share their water source, the Elwha River.”
There are 1299 water customers in Gales Addition, 171 in Mt. Angeles, and 85 in Monroe.
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/.
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.
The Status of Other PUD Water Systems:
The Upper Fairview Water District is on a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert, as mandated by the State Department of Ecology. This means no outdoor water shall be used except in an emergency situation, including no lawn/garden watering or vehicle washing.
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.
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.