We received the following note from the PUD on how best to manage waste water during a power outage. Here are the highlights:
When the power is out, should you run your water?
LAKE WENATCHEE – Let’s say the power goes out in the Lake Wenatchee area. Got flashlights? Check. Shelf-stable food? Check. Most people aren’t thinking about water going down the drain. You should.
If you’re one of Chelan PUD’s 250 wastewater customers in the Lake Wenatchee area, you might have running water available during a power outage, but your sewage system requires electricity.
Here’s how it works: Any water going down the drain fills a septic tank that serves your property. When the tank is full, it relies on an electrical pump to push wastewater to the Lake Wenatchee Wastewater Treatment Plant. When the power is out and your septic tank can’t empty, it could cause problems with backflow or overflow.
When the power is out, please reduce water use to the bare minimum. That means:
- Avoid washing clothes until power is restored.
- Let the dishes stack up. Avoid washing dishes or running the dishwasher until power is restored.
- Take short showers, or better yet, wait until power is restored.
- Only flush the toilet when you absolutely must.
If your septic tank overflows, you may not know right away. If you suspect a problem, call the 24/7 outage line at 877-783-8123.