City Elevates Strawberry Mountain Vicinity Water Alert to Stage 4 – Extreme Water Shortage

Summary of City of White Salmon Press Release (July 17, 2025)

Link: City Elevates Water Alert to Stage 4 – Extreme Water Shortage

The City has escalated its water conservation alert to Stage 4

Extreme Water Shortage, effective immediately for the Strawberry Mountain Pressure Zone,

to prevent further reservoir drawdown, safeguard public health, and preserve drinking water and other essential indoor uses while one pump at the Los Altos station remains offline.

Key Restrictions (until further notice):

1. Water limited to human consumption and essential indoor needs.
2. All outdoor irrigation, vehicle washing (except essential commercial use), surface flushing, and filling of pools/hot tubs is prohibited.

Reason for Escalation
• High weekend water use caused a sharp drop in the Strawberry Mountain Reservoir, requiring manual tanker refills and a four‑day boil‑water notice.
• One of two pumps at Los Altos remains out of service; custom parts are being fabricated.

Affected Streets/Areas
Strawberry Mountain, Spring Street, El Camino, Cochran, Sol Vista, Alta Vista, and parts of Loop Road.

Community Q&A Highlights
• Temporary pump infeasible: would need re‑engineering and state approval.
• Fire protection is still covered via other reservoirs and direct hookups.
• Base water rates continue by state law to cover fixed system costs.
• Long‑term fixes in the 2024 Water System Plan include mainline upgrades, a North Main booster station, and future aquifer‑storage recovery (federal funding rescinded in 2025 budget).
• New development in the zone must meet stringent infrastructure standards; Spring Street project will use a separate pressure system.

Contact for More Information
Andrew Dirks, Public Works Director – (509) 281‑4093

See supporting details for full press release and map.