City of White Salmon elevates water alert to Stage 4 Extreme Water Shortage

White Salmon increased its water conservation alert to Stage 4 due to an extreme shortage in the Strawberry Mountain Pressure Zone. The decision followed a weekend incident where high water usage caused a critical drop in the reservoir, leading to a manual refill and a boil water notice. Mayor Marla Keethler highlighted the necessity of stringent limits on water usage to ensure public health safety. The new restrictions prohibit all outdoor water use and limit water to human consumption and essential indoor purposes only. The pump failure at the Los Altos Pump station has compounded the issue, with replacement parts currently being fabricated.

The city’s Water System Plan aims to modernize infrastructure and improve delivery, having already secured $20 million for upgrades. Furthermore, no new developments can proceed in the impacted area without meeting strict infrastructure requirements. Long-term projects include the installation of a new booster pump station and plans for an aquifer storage recovery system.