Historically low water levels force Seattle to ask for help

A more serious water shortage could be on the doorstep of the Pacific Northwest.

The cities of Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma have implemented the first stage of their water shortage response plans and are asking residents to manage water use.

Examples of water management includes:

•Watering early or late: Water before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m., which reduces evaporation.

•Watering deeply, but infrequently: It’s better to have one or two deep waterings, rather than several shallow waterings.

•Fixing leaks: Fix obvious indoor and outdoor leaks such as at faucets, hose bibs and sprinkler spray heads. Check for less obvious leaks such as silent toilet leaks. Put several drops of food coloring in your toilet tank; after 10 minutes if you have color in the toilet bowl, you have a flapper leak.

•Washing vehicles wisely: Wash your vehicle(s) at locations that recycle their water.

•Using a broom, not a hose: Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks, driveways and patios.

•Washing full loads: Wait until your clothes washer and dishwasher are full before starting.

“The City is making water system adjustments and I know Seattle customers will continue to do their part as we plan for more hot and dry weather,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said. “We want Seattle and the entire region to be in the best possible shape with water supply when the fall rains return.”

Though the response plan is just an “advisory,” the city utility departments believe a future water supply problem may exist.

Seattle’s water supply outlook is “fair,” according to Seattle Public Utilities. The department believes the water supply will be “adequate until fall rains typically return.” However, the city is taking steps to avoid running into a major shortage in the event the hot, dry weather returns.

Everett and Tacoma look to be in similar boats. Tacoma’s use of the Green River for summer demands is being augmented with groundwater wells.

The three cities are making operational changes and activating supplementary water supplies in order to stretch the main water supplies as far as possible.

With the news of water shortage response plans, it looks like Washington won’t be helping California out any time soon. Sorry William Shatner.