As of August 22, 2023, Mark Rigos, the Public Works Director, announced that North Bend has entered Stage 2 of its Water Conservation Ordinance (WCO), which will stay in place until a subsequent announcement is made.
Given the growing impact of climate change on King County and the broader Pacific Northwest, the City is urging its residents to engage in water-saving activities. Enacted initially four years ago, the WCO has become a seasonal norm for many locals. At the same time, newcomers are encouraged to get up to speed on how to participate effectively in these water conservation initiatives.
What Actions Should Property Owners Take Under Stage 2?
The WCO offers straightforward guidelines for water utilization:
- Instead of daily irrigation allowed under Stage 1, landscaping can now be watered only three times a week. The quantity of water you choose for irrigation is not restricted, but the City encourages mindfulness regarding water consumption to benefit the Snoqualmie River’s health.
- Watering is recommended between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. when less water evaporates. This aligns with the initial Stage 1 recommendation.
- Landscape and pasture irrigation frequency—excluding drip systems—is capped at three days per week. An odd-even system is in place:
- Odd-numbered street addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Even-numbered addresses should water on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- For both public and private streetscapes (medians and frontage), the odd/even schedule applies as well.
- Mondays are designated as no-irrigation days.
Hand or manual watering is allowed any time of the day but should follow the odd/even address rule. Other directives include:
- No washing of streets, parking areas, driveways, or buildings is permitted unless required for health, sanitation, or firefighting reasons.
- Restaurants will only serve water if requested by customers.
- Construction projects cannot use city water without prior approval from the City.
If your only means of irrigation is a drip system, you are exempt from these Stage 2 restrictions.
Keep Yourself Updated
To stay informed, you can:
- Sign up for “Notify Me,” a free subscription service that sends tailored updates to your email or mobile device.
- Visiting the Water Conservation Ordinance webpage
- Follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and NextDoor.
The City of North Bend thanks you for your efforts in judiciously using water that contributes significantly to the overall sustainable management of this finite resource.
