Based on a combination of current watershed conditions and a 10-day forecast of mostly dry weather, North Bend Public Works Director Mark Rigos has declared the City will move from Stage 2 to Stage 3 of its Water Conservation Ordinance (WCO), effective Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The WCO will remain in effect until further notice.
As climate change continues to impact King County and the Pacific Northwest region, the City encourages citizens to join in on conservation efforts, and the WCO is a great way to actively help make a difference. The months of May and July this year were some of the hottest months on record for the Seattle area. This caused snow to melt throughout our watershed much faster than usual, which is an adverse outcome because Snoqualmie River flows are lower than usual.
The WCO pertains to all property owners inside City limits and all City of North Bend water customers inside or outside City limits.
WCO Stage 3 provides a series of simple directives for water usage:
- You can irrigate landscaping one time per week rather than three times as provided in Stage 2. The volume of watering you choose is not affected by the WCO, though the City urges users to be cognizant of their water use at any time, as conservation results in better health of the Snoqualmie River.
- You can water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. when less evaporation occurs.
- Landscape and pasture irrigation – except drip irrigation – is limited to a maximum of one day per week based on the following odd-even schedule:
- Customers with odd street addresses can irrigate on Tuesdays.
- Customers with even street addresses can irrigate on Wednesdays.
Public and private streetscape landscaping (medians and frontage) will be irrigated on the same schedule as customers with street addresses that end with an even number.
- No water from the City’s water system will be used to drain and refill swimming pools, artificial lakes, ponds, or streams and no new permits for these will be issued until the WCO has been moved to Stage 1 or has ended.
- Water use for ornamental ponds and fountains is prohibited unless required to maintain existing vegetation, sustain existing fish/animal life, or is necessary for public health reasons.
- New or expanded landscaping on properties is limited to drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and ground cover and no new turf or grass shall be planted, hydroseeded or laid.
- Washing of vehicles or equipment may be done at a commercial establishment that uses recycled or reclaimed water.
- Customers must contact a repair company to repair all water leaks within 24 hours of notification.
- Flushing of sewers or fire hydrants is prohibited, except in case of an emergency and for essential operations.
- Flushing of fire protection systems is prohibited, except during required maintenance or servicing of the system
- No water from the City’s water system shall be used for construction purposes such as dust control, compaction, or trench jetting, unless the use is necessary for fire protection system testing, maintenance, or acceptance by the Fire Chief.
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Efficient use of water remains a key component to the overall management of water. The City appreciates your efforts to help conserve this limited natural resource.
