BELLEVUE, Wash. — The City of Bellevue is joining Kirkland and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) in asking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water.
Cascade Water Alliance has instructed Bellevue to begin the voluntary phase of the city's Water Shortage Management Plan in support of water conservation efforts enacted by SPU, which sells water to Cascade. Water use reductions are necessary to stretch the region's water supply until "significant and sustained rainfall" can replenish the mountain reservoirs, according to a release from the city.
The Water Shortage Management Plan comes into play when the region experiences prolonged, dry weather conditions, according to the city.
On a wet week like this one, it is difficult to tell that Washington is in a drought. But unfortunately, experts say it's the reality.
"A week of rain is great, we welcome it, we're delighted to see it, but it's not enough to make a difference," said Alex Chen, Water Deputy Director with Seattle Public Utilities.
Western Washington typically averages 3 inches of rainfall between June and August, but this year there was just over 1 inch that fell over that period of time.
Chen said he "loves" that Cascade Water Alliance is joining them in their conservation efforts.
"It's important for us to be in sync with them to support their efforts," said Mike Brent, the water resources manager with Cascade Water Alliance.
This will mean that about 380,000 more people are now being asked to turn off their irrigation systems.
"If you're still watering your lawn right now, there's a good reason to stop," said Chen.
Both water experts said it is a good idea to make sure your laundry machines and dishwashers are full before you hit start.
"We have had years such as 1987 where we've had extended dry conditions," said Chen. That year, there were mandated water curtailment rules in place. "If 1987 repeats, we want to make sure we're saving water above and beyond normal."
Here's the good part: data shows people have been listening since SPU's advisory.
"A week ago we were using about 150 million gallons per day," said Chen. "That's dropped by 30 million gallons in the span of a week."
Chen added that it's encouraging to see that Washingtonians are taking the warnings seriously.
He said they're looking at trends like climate change and are trying to be very intentional with how seriously they take water conservation, for the betterment of both people and fish.
In addition, a warm stretch in spring melted snowpack early. Melted snowpack moved quickly through rivers to Puget Sound, rather than taking time to soak into the ground and reservoirs, with impacts felt across the state.
The city recommends that residents take fewer or shorter showers, check for and fix leaks, especially running toilets and delay car washing or use a car wash that recycles water.
Seattle Public Utilities previously told KING 5 that water use reduction requests will remain in effect until "sustained rains replenish our reservoirs."