North Bend moved into Stage 2 of its Water Conservation Ordinance, on Aug. 22, adopting stricter water usage restrictions amid the hot and dry conditions. Stage 2 will remain in effect until further notice.
According to the city, Aug. 22 marks the earliest they have ever moved to the second stage of the WCO. Last year, the stage changed didn’t happened until Mid-October. The switch comes as watersheds throughout the state have been left with low flows following an an early snowmelt and lack of spring rain.
The WCO, now in its fourth year, goes into effect each August and impacts all residents and those served by city water. It is an effort by the city to encourage water conservation and protect flows in the Snoqualmie River.
Each year, the conservation measure begins in Stage 1, adding lenient restrictions on things like irrigation and watering. Stages 2 and 3 add additional restrictions. Most residents will feel minimal impacts from the WCO.
Stages changes are up to the discretion of the city’s public works director and based on water levels in the Chester Morse Lake Masonry Pool near Rattlesnake Lake. The pool serves as a mitigation water source used by the city to protect flows in the Snoqualmie River.
During Stage 1:
- Irrigation is allowed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. every day. Irrigation includes yard, orchard, garden and other ornamental landscaping.
- Hand or manual watering is allowed anytime throughout the day.
- Properties with drip irrigation systems that are the sole source of watering are exempt from the WCO.
- Short-term recreation water usage is allowed
During Stage 2:
- Landscape and pasture irrigation – excluding drip irrigation – is limited to 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. three times per week based on an address schedule.
- Customers with odd street addresses can irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Customers with even street addresses can water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. No irrigation is allowed on Mondays.
- Hand watering is allowed any time per day, following the same schedule as irrigation.
- Watering of streets, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, buildings or other hard surfaces are prohibited unless it’s for public health or fire protection.
- Restaurants can only serve water upon request
- No city water will be used for construction purposes without prior city approval.
Violations could be subject to fines of up to $200 per day if repeated verbal and written warnings are ignored, but the city says the intent of the WCO is education, awareness and voluntary compliance.
