PRESS RELEASE - Mandatory Water Conservation Notice Lifted
Leak on main water transmission line successfully repaired; additional examination to eroded hillside underway.
PORT TOWNSEND – A mandatory water conservation notice has been lifted by the City of Port Townsend after the successful repair of the main water transmission line and the subsequent refilling of the City Lake reservoir. A voluntary conservation notice remains in effect.
Due to the transmission line near Crocker Lake being shut down, water supply was being provided by the City Lake Reservoir. The City Lake Reservoir can provide water for a minimum of five days under normal operations. The City and Port Townsend Paper Mill both implemented water conservation as a precautionary measure to extend the amount of time the City Lake Reservoir can provide water. During the summer, the City uses approximately two million gallons per day; the Mill uses approximately 11 million gallons per day.
The City kindly thanks water customers as well as the Mill for conservation measures that helped reduce water use while the transmission line was being assessed and repaired. The City also appreciates ongoing water conservation efforts throughout the year, especially given the current water supply conditions. The Lords Lake reservoir, for instance, began its seasonal draw-down approximately three weeks earlier than usual due to lower supply. Lower than normal supply occurs when there is less snowpack in the Olympic Mountains.
As noted in a previous press release, the leak, in a steep and difficult to access location, was the result of a cracked fitting which was discharging approximately 400 gallons of water per minute. This leak eroded soil around the transmission line on the hillside near Snow Creek. The majority of property owners along the affected area of the pipeline have been notified along with regional and state agencies.
Now that the repair is complete and the water transmission line again functional, additional assessment for soil and pipeline stability near the leak will be addressed as a follow up for long term stability of the system.
For any future notices regarding water conservation measures, please visit our website www.cityofpt.us (“latest news”) and our Facebook page: facebook.com/CityofPT
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For more details on the Water Supply Agreement and the Olympic Gravity Water System, including technical whitepapers and the final executed agreement, see: https://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/water-supply-mill-agreement
