Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chelan opens hearing on state water‑use goals; staff proposes per‑capita reduction
Summary
Public Works Director Young presented updated water‑use and efficiency goals required by the state: maintain low leak rates and reduce average daily per‑capita consumption by 10 gallons within five years; council asked clarifying questions and noted no direct penalties were identified.
The City of Chelan opened a public hearing May 26 on proposed updates to the Washington State Department of Health water‑use and efficiency goals. Public Works Director Young presented the staff report and described two primary goals: keep system distribution losses below a supply‑side threshold (previously set in 2019) and reduce average daily per‑capita consumption by roughly 10 gallons over five years through customer conservation and irrigation efficiency.
Young said the city plans outreach measures such as utility billing inserts and website resources to encourage customer behavior changes and noted supply fluctuations between winter and summer (flow ranges cited in the presentation). When council asked whether failing to meet the goals would result in penalties, Young said staff were not aware of direct penalties tied to the goal but emphasized the goals are part of state reporting requirements and can affect program eligibility and planning.
Council asked staff for percentage equivalents of the 10‑gallon target and for follow‑up materials. The public hearing was opened for comment and council indicated it would take public input before considering final adoption.
