The Clallam County Public Utility District has declared water alerts in two water systems on the West End.
A Stage 2 water alert has been declared for the Clallam Bay/Sekiu Water System, which serves 356 active customer water accounts.
A Stage 3 alert has been issued for nearby Island View Water System, which has 31 customers.
A Stage 2 alert asks for voluntary water conservation measures.
Water for the Clallam Bay/Sekiu Water System is supplied from a well field near the Hoko River.
Groundwater sources do have a greater resiliency to drought compared to surface water sources; however, streamflow is used an indicator of upcoming groundwater shortages in this region, the PUD said in a press release issued Thursday.
Based on streamflow data collected by the USGS, the PUD predicts that Hoko River streamflow will drop to 15 cfs within three weeks. This forecast meets the criteria for a Stage 2 Response form the agency’s drought response plan.
The Clallam Bay/Sekiu Water System serves Clallam Bay and Sekiu as well as the Middle Point area and the Clallam Bay Corrections Center.
A Stage 3 alert is more serious.
Customers in the Island View Water System are asked to begin outdoor water use restrictions.
Effective immediately, customers are to limit outdoor water use to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Vehicle washing, except for safety related purposes, is prohibited.
Water for the Island View Water System is supplied by Olsen Creek.
Based on streamflow data collected by the USGS, the PUD forecasts that Olsen Creek streamflow will drop to 0.077 cfs within three weeks.
The Island View Water System is located about 10 miles west of Sekiu.
