Lacey asked residents to reduce outdoor water use. Now, that request has been extended

Lacey has extended its request that residents reduce their outdoor water use until early next week.

The original request of the public was made July 3 because Well No. 7, the city’s largest-producing well, needed unexpected repairs. In addition, two city water wells are offline for planned rehabilitation work, according to the city.

Outdoor water use also is typically higher over the July 4 holiday and during periods of warm weather.

The region recently baked under high heat Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures reaching close to 100 degrees. Plus the water well repairs are taking longer than expected.

City officials anticipate the job will be completed by Tuesday, July 16.

The two water wells that are offline for planned maintenance are located in the Nisqually Valley and at McAllister Park, a neighborhood south of Pacific Avenue and east of Marvin Road, Lacey spokesman Ty Keltner said.

Well No. 7 is east of Saint Martin’s University and north of Pacific Avenue. That well is also the focus of a possible eminent domain action by the city because the well is slowing down, which means the city wants to dig a new one nearby. However, the city does not own that property.

But why is Lacey asking residents to conserve water when Lacey City Council recently approved a wholesale water purchase agreement with Olympia? Keltner said that agreement has been signed.

“This water will help the situation, but we are looking into whether it will actually be needed or not,” he said. “So far we are getting through without needing it.

“We made it through the weekend with no issues, but we don’t know if that’s because people have been (actively) conserving, or if they simply weren’t using as much water,” Keltner said.

The city asks residents to reduce water use for irrigation of any kind, for car and other vehicle washing, and for pressure washing.

The city will reduce irrigation at all city-owned parks and managed landscapes, but active sports fields are exempt to protect the public’s investment in the facilities, according to the city.

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