The drought and continued dry and hot weather has placed increased demands on the City’s water supply. Current city water supplies (springs, wells, tanks, and inter-ties with TPU) are currently sufficient to feed the community – barely.

However, the City has to purchase outside water at a premium, currently from Tacoma Public Utilities, to meet the extra high summer water demands. The City of Bonney Lake also supplies water to customers around Lake Tapps from Lakeland Hills to subdivisions south of the City in Pierce County.

In order to meet the peak demands placed on the City water system this summer, with its record setting heat and unusually dry weather, the City is employing all of its water supply resources and inter-ties to maximize of our water supplies and pumping station equipment.

Should a critical failure in City equipment or a reduction in the supply of water from our wells and springs occur, or should demand outstrip available supplies, the City will need to enact mandatory water restrictions. Today, we do not foresee that occurring, and voluntary conservation will help reduce demand.

Tips to reduce water consumption:

• Water lawn & garden in short intervals early morning or evening. Only water once every 3 to 5 days. One inch per week is all your lawn needs. Watering less often produces a deeper, healthier root system. Avoid watering in heat of day or when windy.
• Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
• When washing your car – wash it on the lawn if possible and use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
• Place mulch around trees and plants to avoid excess evaporation.
• Set automated sprinkler systems to use water in the late evening or very early in the morning hours.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it’s needed.
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. Set dish washers to run when you go to bed instead of immediately after meal time.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two. Do not run water continuously. You can save up to 150 gallons each month.
• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If color seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Make repairs and save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Water customers should be aware that City water rates are set to encourage water conservation (the more you use the more you pay – especially in the summer). So be prepared for a much larger water bill than usual if your summer consumption has been higher than normal.