In response to continuously decreasing flows in the Elwha River, our primary source of drinking water, and in accordance with City Council action taken on September 3, 2024, City Manager Nathan A. West has declared a Stage III Water Shortage. 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 city limits:
- Washing sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking lots, patios, 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 or private distribution system for any period of time beyond which such break or leak should reasonably have been discovered and corrected. It shall be presumed that a period of 48 hours after the customer discovers a leak or break or receives notice from the City of such leak or break, whichever occurs first, is a reasonable time in which to correct the same.
- 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.
- Sprinkling and irrigation of lawns, ground cover, or other plants, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. or on any day not authorized by the established rotation schedule (see below for further details).
Odd-Even Sprinkling and Irrigation Schedule:
In addition, the City is implementing an odd-even sprinkling and irrigation schedule to help conserve our community’s water supply. Under this schedule, homes with odd-numbered addresses can water on odd-numbered days (1st, 3rd, etc.), while even-numbered addresses can water on even-numbered days (2nd, 4th, etc.).
Additional guidance may be provided in the days ahead.
To view the City’s Water Shortage Response as set out in the Port Angeles Municipal Code Ch. 13.46, visit: https://library.municode.com/wa/port_angeles/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13PUUT_CH13.46WASHRE.
To subscribe to receive email notifications from the City of Port Angeles, including updates on the Water Shortage Response, please visit: www.cityofpa.us/NotifyMe.
Finally, to learn more about water conservation, including rebate opportunities on water-saving devices, please contact the Public Works & Utilities Department at (360) 417-4713 or visit: www.cityofpa.us/Conservation.