Current:Home > Scams1.5 million people asked to conserve water in Seattle because of statewide drought-LoTradeCoin
1.5 million people asked to conserve water in Seattle because of statewide drought
View Date:2024-12-24 00:47:09
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Public Utilities is asking about 1.5 million customers in the Seattle area to use less water as drought conditions continue throughout most of the state.
Residents on Thursday were asked to stop watering their lawns, to reduce shower time, to only run full laundry machines and dishwashers, and to fix leaking pipes and running toilets, according to a post on the utility’s website.
An unusually dry summer along with a forecast of ongoing dry conditions, including a potential delay in sustained autumn rains, have prompted concerns about having sufficient water for people and fish, the utility said.
“Our hydrologic model suggests a deep drawdown of our mountain reservoirs. Water levels are already lower than average, and we are adjusting to sustain adequate water supply for our customers and the rivers this fall,” Elizabeth Garcia, utility water resources planner, said in the online statement.
Garcia said customers are asked to use less water until there is enough rain to refill the mountain reservoirs to necessary levels. The last time it made a similar request was in 2015, the utility said.
Recent rainfall has helped reservoir levels, and rain currently in the forecast is good, but it’s just a start, Alex Chen, director of SPU’s drinking water division, told The Seattle Times.
The watersheds that stock the utility’s reservoirs typically see upwards of 26 inches (66 centimeters) of rain between May and September, Chen said. This year they’ve seen only 7 or 8 inches (17 to 20 centimeters).
Across Washington, state officials declared a drought advisory in early July, which was followed several weeks later by a drought emergency for 12 counties. Currently, nearly 10% of the state is in extreme drought with 43% in severe drought, according to U.S. Drought Monitor data.
If conditions don’t improve, Seattle Public Utilities can mandate water restrictions. Chen said that hasn’t been done since 1992.
“We’re hoping we don’t have to do that here,” Chen said.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim
- WWE WrestleMania 40 details: Time, how to watch, match card and more
- Sen. John Fetterman says I thought this could be the end of my career when he sought mental health treatment
- The teaching of Hmong and Asian American histories to be required in Wisconsin under a new law
- New Jersey will issue a drought warning after driest October ever and as wildfires rage
- 'Parasyte: The Grey': Premiere date, cast, where to watch creepy new zombie K-Drama
- Makeup You Can Sleep in That Actually Improves Your Skin? Yes, That’s a Thing and It’s 45% Off
- Man who used megaphone to lead attack on Capitol police sentenced to more than 7 years in prison
- Ex-Phoenix Suns employee files racial discrimination, retaliation lawsuit against the team
- Women’s Final Four ticket on resale market selling for average of $2,300, twice as much as for men
Ranking
- Celtics' Jaylen Brown calls Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo a 'child' over fake handshake
- Body found on Lake Ontario shore in 1992 identified as man who went over Niagara Falls, drifted over 140 miles
- Caitlin Clark and Iowa fans drive demand, prices for Final Four tickets
- Police say man dies after tire comes off SUV and hits his car
- As CFP rankings punish SEC teams, do we smell bias against this proud and mighty league?
- Shohei Ohtani homers for the first time as a Dodger, gets ball back from fan
- Justice Department announces nearly $80 million to help communities fight violent crime
- Maritime terminal prepares for influx of redirected ships as the Baltimore bridge cleanup continues
Recommendation
-
Brianna LaPaglia Addresses Zach Bryan's Deafening Silence After Emotional Abuse Allegations
-
Why does the Facebook app look different? Meta rolling out new, fullscreen video player
-
Did Texas 'go too far' with SB4 border bill? Appeals court weighs case; injunction holds.
-
A former Houston police officer is indicted again on murder counts in a fatal 2019 drug raid
-
Jason Statham Shares Rare Family Photos of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Their Kids on Vacation
-
The Beach Boys like never before: Band's first official book is a trove of rare artifacts
-
Wolf kills a calf in Colorado, the first confirmed kill after the predator’s reintroduction
-
Foul play suspected in disappearance of two women driving to pick up kids in Oklahoma