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All newsStage 3 Water Alert for Additional PUD Systems – Follows City of PA’s Declaration
PUD #1of Clallam County (PUD) is implementing a Stage 3 Water Alert for water utility customers in Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles Water Districts. The PUD serves these areas with water acquired from the City of Port Angeles, which just declared a Stage 3 Water Shortage.
This alert affects all PUD water customers in the Port Angeles area West of Morse Creek, including 4 Seasons Ranch and Cedar Park Tracts. Panoramic Heights customers are not affected by this water alert. There are 1299 water customers in Gales Addition, 171 in Mt. Angeles, and 85 in Monroe.
Mike Kitz, PUDs Water and Wastewater System Superintendent, says, “The Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles PUD Water Districts rely on purchased water supplied by the City of Port Angeles. The City announced this week that it declared a stage 3 water emergency. Per the PUD’s agreement with the City, we coordinate our response to water shortages because we share their water source, the Elwha River.”
The key aspects of a Stage 3 Water Alert Restrictions for customers include:
- Customers will be expected to comply with alternating days for outdoor watering. Even numbered addresses water only on even numbered days, odd numbered addresses water only on odd numbered days, and all customers minimize watering use. Minimizing total use will be emphasized.
- Vehicle washing will be prohibited except for safety related purposes.
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 by clicking here.
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 3 Water Shortage Alert, as mandated by the State Department of Ecology. Restrictions are the same as those with this notice.
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 year. 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.