The City of North Bend is actively pursuing water conservation in a variety of ways: through ongoing distribution system leak reduction efforts, customer conservation education,
installation of replacement watermains 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, and 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 located 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. every day 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 would be issued only if initial contact and verbal violation warnings are ignored. The WC
directs the City to first have verbal or written contact with the party violating the ordinance. If violations continue, then the WCO directs the City to implement Step 2 and provide
written notification, issuance of a notice to correct violation, and enforce 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.
Original source can be found here.
