The City of North Bend is actively pursuing water conservation in various ways: through ongoing distribution system leak reduction efforts, customer conservation education, installation of replacement water mains and starting in 2020, the Water Conservation Ordinance (WCO).
Beginning August 15th, Stage 1 of the city’s WCO goes into effect. The WCO is now three years old. For some, this ordinance is an anticipated seasonal practice in our community. For others, the WCO is new, and as a participant, we understand new residents want to ensure they have all the information they need to join in water conservation efforts.
The WCO applies to all homes and businesses within North Bend city limits and city water customers outside city limits. Please read the full WCO HERE, and read more about Stage 1 of the WCO below.
Stage 1 of the WCO automatically becomes effective each year on August 15th. The intent of the WCO is conservation education and awareness, and it serves as a practice that benefits not only the North Bend community but the Snoqualmie Valley as a whole. The city recognizes that the health of the Snoqualmie River moves beyond North Bend and affects neighboring and downstream communities.
Irrigation during Stage 1: Irrigation is allowed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily during Stage 1. Irrigation includes yard, orchard, garden and other ornamental landscaping. During these times, less evaporation tends to occur, which is more water efficient and can reduce your water bill.
Hand/manual watering during Stage 1: During Stage 1, hand/manual watering is allowed any time throughout the day.
Drip irrigation systems as your sole source of watering: Properties with drip irrigation systems that are the sole source of watering are exempt from the WCO.
Playing in the water during Stage 1: Short-term recreational water usage is allowed under the WCO.
Examples of wasteful use of water under the WCO: Wasteful water usage occurs when water significantly runs off a resident’s property, such as over-irrigation, free flowing hoses, pool and pond draining and refilling (except as necessary for health, maintenance, or structural considerations), and washing concrete surfaces.
Is the city monitoring customer water usage and issuing fines for WCO violations? No. The intent of the WCO is conservation education and awareness. Police officers are not watching for mid-day watering. The goal is voluntary compliance. Penalties and citations are only issued if initial contact and verbal violation warnings are ignored.
The WCO directs the city first to have verbal or written contact with the party violating the ordinance. If violations continue, the WCO directs the city to implement Step 2 and provide written notification, issuing a notice to correct the violation and enforcing a penalty of up to $50 per day. Continued violations can result in Step 3, which provides for an administrative penalty of up to $200 per day.
When and if the city moves to subsequent stages of the WCO, a declaration will be made by the Public Works Director, and residents will be notified via the city website and social media channels. Read helpful Frequently Asked Questions about the WCO HERE.
[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
Comments
I can’t help but see some inconsistencies in North Bend’s planning. On one hand, they are implementing Water Conservation policies like explained here. On the other hand, they are continuing with future development that will use more water, when there isn’t an additional source of water. Is the plan to force existing customers to use less water so they they can approve additional development that uses that water? Is there a plan here?
Yeah, there’s a plan, which goes back about ten years. It’s called ‘take the money and run’. And their legacy will be to have destroyed one of the most special places in Washington. But at least they can buy more stuff to try and fill the hole in their soul.
Nailed it Chris!