Dennis Box
The Courier-Herald
The last week of hot weather taxed Bonney Lake's water supply system as temperatures climbed into the mid-90s.
Administrative Services Coordinator Don Morrison sent out a bulletin asking residents of the city to conserve water.
The city decided this year to open the Tacoma Water intertie when reservoir supplies became depleted.
Last year, Ball Park Well was used as a backup source, but the water is high in iron and manganese, which causes it to look brown and unappetizing.
A decision to go with Tacoma Water was made by Mayor Bob Young and confirmed by the City Council after numerous complaints were lodged about Ball Park Well water.
A facility is being constructed to treat the water from Ball Park Well, but it will not be completed until next year.
The decision to use Tacoma Water was not without controversy. The city fought a fluoride mandate from the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Board for two years.
The state Supreme Court ruled against the Health Department in May.
Young stated the city has been using Tacoma Water during the past week to supplement the water supply. According to the mayor, the city's usage has doubled since the hot weather began.
Following is a list of conservation tips:
€ Inside the house, bathroom facilities claim nearly 75 percent of the water used.
€ Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant, garden or cleaning around the home.
€ Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. A faucet dripping at a rate of one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities.
€ Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water and use this to water plants. The same technique can be used when washing dishes or vegetables in the sink.
€ In the shower, turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off.
€ Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when fully loaded. Set the water level for the proper size of load.
€ Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.
€ Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
€ Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property owner or local authorities.
€ Lawns needs only 1 inch of water per week. Watering less often produces a deeper, healthier root system. Overwatered lawns represents the number one waste of water resources. Runoff from over watered lawns washes away topsoil, fertilizers and pesticides that pollute our water ways.
€ Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
€ Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Don't worry if the savings are minimal. Every drop counts.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com
