As the Snoqualmie Valley experiences varying summer temperatures, the City of North Bend is putting measures in place to address the below-average flow rates of the Snoqualmie River. According to a recent city announcement, the North Bend Water Conservation Ordinance (WCO) commenced today with Stage 1 restrictions and is set to escalate to Stage 2 on August 20.
Residents and businesses within the North Bend city limits, including external water customers, are being asked to adjust their water usage habits—irrigation is now permitted between 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily, taking advantage of the cooler hours thereby reducing evaporation and potentially financial costs; manual watering of plants has no time restrictions, and systems exclusively utilizing drip irrigation are excluded from the ordinance requirements. Stage 2 of the WCO will introduce more stringent limits, details of which can be found within the ordinance documentation.
In compliance with Stage 1, citizens are encouraged to be mindful of wasteful water usage, which encompasses any excessive run-off from a property, whether it be from overwatering, unattended hoses, or unnecessary refilling of pools and ponds—exceptions are made for essential maintenance and health reasons, along with washing concrete surfaces when needed.
Recognizing the importance of sustainability initiatives, North Bend joined the Saving Water Partnership in 2021, granting residents access to rebates and complimentary assessments to encourage resourcefulness in water use. For additional resources on conserving water, both indoors and outdoors, residents can visit the city's Water Conservation page and stay informed by signing up for "Notify Me", following the City on social media, or checking the City News Release webpage regularly for updates on the WCO and other local initiatives that aim to safeguard this critical natural resource.
