Puget Sound Region (Oct. 7, 2015) Fall has arrived, but consistent fall rains have not. Everett, Seattle and Tacoma remain in the second stage of their drought response plans. The water systems rely on fall rains to fill the reservoirs so there is enough water for people and fish. Customers in the region have reduced their use over the past two weeks by a total of 14%. The cities are asking their customers to continue to reduce their water use.
This time of year is critical in the salmon life cycle, as they migrate back from the ocean and travel up their native rivers to spawn. Both the amount and temperature of water in rivers affect their ability to conserve energy, avoid predators and successfully spawn.
Tacoma: Over the last two weeks, Tacoma and its partner agencies have been sending extra water down the Green River for chinook salmon – a threatened species – to ensure they can spawn successfully. To date, Tacoma Water has received above average numbers of adult chinook salmon at its Trap and Sort Facility, with the peak of spawning occurring now. It appears the timing of the extra water was successful in getting chinook salmon upstream to higher quality spawning areas they may not have otherwise reached. The peak of chinook spawning will last for another two weeks and taper off toward the end of October. The total storage available behind Howard Hanson Dam is near normal levels, thanks to the conservation efforts of Tacoma Water customers and the utility’s ability to use groundwater to supplant river water over the last few months.
Seattle: The total water level in SPU’s reservoirs is at 74% of what would be typical for this time of year. In addition to assuring drinking water for people, Seattle Public Utilities continues to provide beneficial flows for salmon, steelhead and trout to supplement lower-than-normal natural conditions in the Cedar and South Fork Tolt rivers, the water sources for Seattle’s regional water system. Chinook and sockeye salmon are spawning in the Cedar, and adult chinook salmon are spawning in the Tolt River. Juvenile steelhead and coho continue to rear in both rivers.
Everett: Everett continues to provide fish flows for chinook salmon and fall steelhead on the Sultan River, which is the water source for Everett’s regional water system. The Sultan River watershed received about a quarter of an inch of rain during the last two weeks. Storage at Spada Reservoir is 72% of normal for this time of year.
Water reduction goal met
Over the last eight weeks, the region has collectively cut back water use by 14 percent. The water system managers appreciate what people have done to cut back and thank them for their efforts. Continued water use reductions are needed until fall rains return in earnest and fill our reservoirs to normal levels.
Here are steps that customers can take to reduce water use as the weather continues to cool:
Outdoor water-saving tips:
- If you haven’t already, stop watering: As temperatures cool and days get shorter, lawns and plants enter the initial phase of dormancy when no water is needed.
- Weed and mulch: Add 2-3 inches of mulch to the soil surface.
Indoor water-saving tips for residents:
- Reduce showering time
- Check for and fix leaks
- Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving
- Don’t pre-rinse dishes
- If purchasing fixtures/equipment, choose water-efficient models
Indoor water-saving tips for businesses:
- Encourage reduced showering times at your facilities
- Serve water only on request
- Check for and fix leaks
- Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
- Provide new towels only on request
- Check cooling towers for overflow and excessive blowdown
- If purchasing fixtures/equipment, choose water-efficient models
The next round of regional water use reduction results will be released the week of Oct. 19.
Find a graph illustrating the savings and more water saving tips at www.savingwater.org.
MORE INFORMATION
Map of service areas of Everett, Seattle and Tacoma
About Everett: https://everettwa.gov
Everett operates a regional water supply system that serves 80 percent of the homes and businesses in Snohomish County. This includes Everett and 95 other cities and water districts and serves a population of about 570,000. Get Everett water supply information.
About Seattle: www.seattle.gov/util
Seattle operates a regional water supply system serving 1.3 million people, including residents of Seattle as well as 25 other cities and water districts in King County. Get Seattle water supply information.
About Tacoma: www.tacomawater.com
Tacoma Water supplies water directly to about 316,000 people in Tacoma, University Place, Ruston and areas of unincorporated Pierce and south King counties. The utility also serves relatively small areas within the cities of Puyallup, Fircrest, Lakewood and Bonney Lake. Through wholesale connections, Tacoma Water serves Auburn, Bonney Lake, Fife, Puyallup and parts of Pierce and King counties. Get Tacoma water supply information.