PORT ANGELES – The city of Port Angeles has declared the next stage of a water emergency.

Yesterday, officials announced that due to low flows in the Elwha River, which influences the amount of water available to the City’s water system, a Stage Two Water Shortage is now in place.

This means that immediate voluntary reductions in water consumption are encouraged, but mandatory restrictions are not yet in place.

The city recommends people:

• Install low-flow shower heads and faucets.
• Reduce frequency and volume of lawn watering and limit it to early morning or evenings.
• Collect a rebate for installing water-efficient toilets, rain barrels, and watering timers.
• Reduce car washing frequency.
• Operate automatic dishwashers/clothes washers only when full.
• Think about other ways to conserve water.

If flows on the Elwha continue to drop, the city will move to Stage Three, which would put in place mandatory water reductions.