(Letter sent to all Nehalem water users today, August 17, 2023 from Mayor Phil Chick)
This summer has brought a level of drought that we have not experienced on the coast in decades.
You all should have received initial water conservation notices in the mail recently. Thank you to those who have made an effort for conservation, but there is more to do for this effort.
I am asking all customers who use Nehalem’s water to do everything that you can to help conserve water. If daily water consumption levels do not come down, the city will have no choice but to implement Level 3 of the city’s water curtailment plan as outlined in the city’s Water Management and Conservation Plan. This is the most critical level, and will prohibit all outdoor water use.
Nehalem’s developed surface water source includes one dam site on Bob’s Creek. This small creek which originates on Rock Mountain, supplies water to the water treatment plant where it is filtered, disinfected, and eventually stored in the city’s 1.5 million gallon reservoir. This infrastructure supplies water to 789 service connections in the water service area, including Bayside Gardens. Bob’s Creek has been the “Little Engine that
Could” for Nehalem for decades, but it needs your help in this dry, dry summer as its flow is diminishing quickly without being recharged by rainfall.
WHAT IS BEING DONE NOW?
The city has been working with the city of Manzanita on determining a location for an emergency intertie in Bayside Gardens for both cities to have the opportunity to receive water in an emergency. Parts are nearly all in place to connect 100 feet of piping, a vault, bi-directional flowmeter, and pressure reducing valve. It is hoped that this can be online in September.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO INSURE THERE IS ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY FOR CURRENT DEMAND AND FUTURE GROWTH?
- Anderson Creek Raw Water Transmission Line – The city recieved ARPA funding for the Anderson Creek Raw Water Transmission Line Project. This source will spuplement the limited supply of Bob’s Creek during dry periods. Completion is scheduled in 2023-24.
- Healthy Forests/Healthy Watersheds – The city owns 927 acres of foresland that comprises nearly its entire drinking water source area. Updating the city’s Forest Management Plan with a stronger focus on managing the land for its benefits to drinking water quantity and quality, while still providing timber revenue, is a prudent way to insure the water future of Nehalem for generations to come.
The City Council and Staff are committed to providing clean, safe and available drinking water during this time and into the future. Please join us in helping to conserve out most precious resource.
This community’s greatest quality has always been its capacity to care for one another. Thank you for your help in weathering this unusual storm.
For water saving tips go to https://www.nehalem.gov/publicworks/page/water-saving-tips
NCRD AQUATICS CENTER CLOSED BEGINNING FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, at 6:00 PM
In cooperation with the City of Nehalem, we are required to stop using the amount of water necessary to keep the pool open. Therefore, until further notice, the Aquatics Center will be closed due to water shortages.
In addition, Fitness Center Showers will be closed.
Thank you for your understanding during this critical time. Questions? Contact 855.444.6273, choose option 1.
