PORT ANGELES — The city has a declared a Stage 2 water shortage, requiring immediate voluntary reductions in water consumption.
The water shortage declaration was prompted by low streamflows in the Elwha River, which affects spawning habitat for endangered salmon runs as well as the amount of water available to the city’s water system.
The city’s declaration also affects customers of Clallam County Public Utility District’s Gales Water System, which serves the area east of Port Angeles.
Under the district’s water contract, Clallam PUD is required to match the city’s water shortage plan declarations.
Recommended water reduction actions include watering lawns sparingly — and only in the mornings or evenings, cutting back car washing, shortening showers, repairing leaky faucets and using dishwashers and clothes washers only with full loads.
The city’s public works and fire departments also will reduce water consumption and keep the public informed of the water shortage situation.
The city of Port Angeles serves about 8,000 water customers with a system designed to provide 11 million gallons of water per day.
The city also has five reservoirs with 18 million gallons of storage.
The city gets water from the 60-foot-deep Ranney Collector well adjacent to the Elwha River.
It also can draw from Morse Creek and has reservoirs around the city that can sustain water supplies — but not for an extended period.
The Elwha River water level at McDonald Bridge west of Port Angeles was flowing at only 321 cubic feet per second at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
The City Council last declared a Stage 2 water shortage on Aug. 22, 2005, due to the effects of low Elwha River streamflows on endangered salmon stocks.
That’s the same reason it has been declared this time.
It was increased to a Stage 3 water shortage on Sept. 20, 2005.
Restrictions were lifted entirely in November 2005.
The five stages of the city’s water shortage response plan are “anticipated,” “serious,” “critical,” “emergency” and “regional disaster.”
Stages 1 and 2 can be declared by the city manager. Stages 3-5 must be declared by the City Council.
Penalties for violations range from warnings to fines and water service shutoffs.
Temporary hardship variances can be granted.
For more information on water conservation or water waste complaints, call 360-417-4849 or visit the conservation section of the city’s Web site, www.cityofpa.us.