Posted: July 31, 2009 14:16:44 PST
Bellingham Public Works Director, Ted Carlson, has signed a Declaration of Emergency Water Shortage and Order Imposing Mandatory Outdoor Water Restrictions. Residential, commercial, and multi-family water customers are to discontinue all watering of lawns and landscaping until further notice.
High levels of algae in the raw water coming from Lake Whatcom is impacting the city’s ability to provide water to residents, businesses and critical facilities, while still maintaining water reserves required for fire flow and emergency services. The quality of the drinking water has not been comprised and continues to meet all state and federal regulations.
“Providing safe, clean drinking water is one of the city’s highest priorities. We applaud the community’s efforts to reduce outdoor water consumption through the Voluntary Watering Schedule and other conservation measures, but unfortunately it has not been enough to remedy the situation,” said Mayor Dan Pike. “The Public Works Director has correctly determined that mandatory outdoor watering restrictions are needed until we can ensure an ample water supply.”
Watering lawns and landscaping (e.g. shrubs, trees, flower beds) is prohibited until further notice. Minimal watering of vegetable gardens is allowed, as well as hand watering potted plants. Violators are subject to fines and water service shut off for continued violations per Bellingham Municipal Code 15.04.040 and .050. You can help by calling 778-7707 to leave an anonymous voice mail to report violators.
Outdoor watering places the heaviest burden on our water supply from May to September, with consumption regularly doubling during this time. Watering lawns and landscaping accounts for 80-90% of outdoor water use. With the weather forecast calling for continued warm temperatures, the city is urging residents to comply with the watering restrictions and implement additional water conservation measures such as taking shorter showers, washing full loads of laundry, checking for leaks and washing cars at commercial car washes.
For updates and more information about this mandatory lawn and landscape watering ban and tips on how you can conserve water, visit the city's website at www.cob.org.
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Media Contacts:
Ted Carlson, Director
Public Works
778-7900
tcarlson@cob.org
Joy Monjure, Communications Coordinator
Public Works
778-7900
jmonjure@cob.org
