Seattle Public Utilities Cautious about Water Supply Conditions, Customers Asked To Use Water Wisely

In the wake of an unusually dry winter season, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) recently announced it is continuing to carefully manage water supplies for 1.3 million people and is asking customers to use water wisely. Nearly all the water for SPU customers comes from the Cedar and the Tolt River Watersheds in eastern King County, which is also home to several species of Salmon. “We’re cautious about water supply conditions, and we’re asking people to continue being smart with their water use,” said Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. “We still have almost 21 billion gallons of water available in our reservoirs, and we’re taking steps to maximize the supply we have.” Given the unseasonably dry conditions SPU is taking a more cautious approach to water supply conditions. The utility has kept more water in the reservoirs in the Cedar and Tolt River watersheds and has captured much of the precipitation and run-off that has occurred. In addition, SPU is reducing the amount of water it uses for maintenance operations such as reservoir cleaning. In spite of the dry conditions, SPU was able to supplement river flows for the benefit of fish in the watersheds over the winter. Dry conditions recently led to a reduction in these supplemental flows. In cooperation with state, federal and tribal representatives, SPU continues to manage river flows, and will again supplement those flows if conditions improve. The city stands ready to take additional actions to ensure adequate supplies should it become necessary. The utility has a comprehensive Water Shortage Contingency Plan that can be activated should conditions require it. “I’m confident we’ll get through this dry weather with adequate water supplies,” said Nickels. “Water use is fairly low at this time of year and we know from past history, SPU customers will step up and save water when we ask them.” SPU is asking customers to us water wisely by: not leaving water running in their bathroom or kitchen sinks, only washing full loads of clothes, and fixing leaking toilets and faucets.