After 3,000-gallon fuel spill, Port Angeles urges locals to save water

Staring down a limited water supply and an unknown level of contamination after a fuel spill, the city of Port Angeles urged residents Saturday to conserve as much water as possible. 

A fuel tanker truck crashed off Highway 101 and into Indian Creek on Friday morning, leaking 3,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel into the waterway directly upstream from the city’s main water supply: the Elwha River. Port Angeles shut down its water treatment operations but its reservoirs only have about a day’s worth of water stored. 

As crews assess the damage, residents should turn off sprinklers and irrigation systems and stop washing their cars, sidewalks and more, city officials said in a release. 

“Residents and businesses should limit their water use to essential needs only,” the release said. “This includes drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.”

Officials with Washington’s departments of Health and Ecology are monitoring reservoir levels and testing water for contaminants, the release said. Once tests show the water is safe to use, the city’s reservoirs will need to be refilled. 

The conservation request, which is voluntary, goes out not only to properties within the city but even more rural homes still relying on Port Angeles’ water system.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.