CARLSBORG — Clallam County Public Utility District has called for voluntary water conservation by Upper Fairview water customers.
The PUD issued a Stage 2 alert Wednesday. The alert will continue until Morse Creek’s streamflow is consistently above 25 cubic feet per second, said Mike Howe, PUD spokesman.
Under a Stage 2 Drought Response, customers are asked to curtail water usage. The goal is to reduce total use by 5 percent.
The Upper Fairview water districted is located between O’Brien and Deer Park roads. It is uphill from where the Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines cross these roads to Township Line Road.
The Upper Fairview Water System is served by water from Morse Creek and when streamflows are low there is need to address the situation.
“It should be noted that the PUD has successfully taken measures to proactively address the Morse Creek low streamflow issues that affect the upper Fairview Water District,” Howe said in a news release.
“In 2015, this same area saw voluntary water conservation measures requested in early May of 2016, and ultimately ended up in a Stage 4 water situation. That is not expected to happen this year as a result of the PUD’s proactive measures.”
In 2015. the PUD installed a system to pump well water is pumped uphill to replace the Morse Creek water supply during the low streamflow period.
“We were pleased with the results of this system last year, and are happy to see it is working as intended during the drier times of the year and continue to work on making this a permanent backup system.,” said Tom Martin, PUD water superintendent.
“Voluntary water conservation is still necessary in this area, and with everyone doing that we can hopefully get through to the next wetter period.”
Other PUD water systems are not affected, although the Clallam Bay-Sekiu and Island View districts in the West End may experience drought-related problems if dry weather persists during September, Howe said.
Lower Fairview, Evergreen and Carlsborg water districts depend on groundwater. Groundwater levels are currently high, which is normal for this time of year, Howe said.
Gales Addition, Monroe and Mt. Angeles Water Districts depend on water purchased from the city of Port Angeles. The water source is the Elwha River. There is no drought response called for in this area, Howe said.
To find tips on ways to conserve water, see www.clallampud.net/water-saving-tips/
For more information on the PUD, visit www.clallampud.net.
