PORT ANGELES – He told us last week it was coming.
On Monday, Port Angeles City Manager Nathan West declared a Stage III water shortage for all city water customers.
The newly heightened restrictions come in response to continuously decreasing flows in the Elwha River, the City’s primary source of drinking water, and in accordance with City Council action taken on September 5. This means that the City’s water supplies are critically impacted and immediate restrictions on outdoor water usage must be implemented.
Effective immediately, the following non-essential water uses are prohibited on all properties connected to the City’s water system, whether located inside or outside of the City:
Washing sidewalks, driveways, and other exterior paved areas by direct hosing, except as may be necessary to prevent or eliminate materials dangerous to public health and safety.
Escape of water through breaks or leaks within the customer’s plumbing for any period of time beyond which such break or leak should reasonably have been discovered and corrected.
Non-commercial washing of privately owned motor vehicles, trailers and boats, except from a bucket or hose using a shutoff nozzle for quick rinses.
Lawn sprinkling and irrigation which allows water to run off or overspray the lawn area. Every customer is deemed to have knowledge of and control over his or her lawn sprinkling and irrigation at all times.
No watering of lawns, landscapes and gardens, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. or an ODD – EVEN rotation schedule. This means property addresses ending in odd numbers are permitted to sprinkle on odd numbered days, and property addresses ending in even numbers are permitted to sprinkle on even numbered days.
Additional guidance may be provided in the days ahead.
To view the City’s Water Shortage Response, go to the City’s website at cityofpa.us.