NORTH BEND – Like many Washington residents who have been parched from the dry summer, Ernie and Taffy Martinez were relieved when it started raining because it would give them some much-needed relief.

Unlike many residents who are glad the extra precipitation will replenish their dry lawns and wilting flowers, the Martinezes are excited because the inclement weather will bring to life their well that has been dry since earlier this month.

The Martinezes, who have lived off Northwest 14th Street since 1979, get their water from a 30-foot well located on their property. Since the well went dry the couple has been relying on the help of friends for water.

“This is the first time we have really had to worry,” Taffy said. “We have never had a summer like this.”

The duo doesn’t think they should have to worry about water ever again since they are residents of the city. North Bend promised them, and other residents on their street, many things when their neighborhood was annexed in the early 1980s, the couple said, one of which was a water line.

More than 20 years since that promise, the Martinezes are upset that the city has yet to extend a water line out to their home. They have seen water lines included in other neighborhoods that have been built and don’t see why the same services can’t be offered to them.

“We never got anything from being annexed by the city,” Ernie said. “All we got was higher taxes.”

North Bend Public Works Director Ron Garrow said the future of any water in the city is dependent on lifting the water moratorium, which has stalled any additional water services, and construction requiring such services, since 1999.

After the water moratorium is lifted, Garrow said water lines could be installed. However, the water lines would go in only if it is economically feasible to do so and if a sizable amount of residents in a neighborhood wanted them, he added.

If someone wanted to bring North Bend water to their property, they could pay for the line and help offset their investment by letting other people tap into it, Garrow said. The fact of the matter, he added, is that there are no immediate plans for North Bend to extend water to any new properties.

“We don’t have any extra funds to extend water lines,” Garrow said.

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