HomeMy WebLinkAboutUtilities 2015-05-27 Item 4B - Discussion - Cascade Water Alliance Response to 2015 Statewide Drought Declaration�.
CASCADE
WATER ALLIANCE
Seattle Public Utilities and Cascade Water Resource Management
Response to Statewide Drought Declaration
Background:
Regional water suppliers have been in discussions with Ecology, Health and WDFW (Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife.) We have learned that it is highly likely that a statewide drought will be
declared by the end of the week of May 11 even though the water supply outlook for the three utilities
(Seattle, Tacoma and Everett) is good. Seattle (which supplies Cascade Water Alliance members with its
water) has been managing around low snowpack, with reservoirs having achieved refill in the upper
maximum range.
The outlook for municipal supply and instream resources is good and is expected to provide normal
minimum flows in the Cedar and South Fork Tolt Rivers.
1. Seattle (which provides water to Cascade Water Alliance, of which Tukwila is a member),
Tacoma, and Everett's water supplies are good, despite the statewide drought declaration. We
understand that many areas of our state are facing drought conditions. In our area, though, we are
fortunate that our water supply outlook remains good. We have been storing additional water
from rainfall in our reservoirs and they are nearly full and in good shape for the summer demand.
Ground water wells also support our water supplies.
The water supplies are good for fish, too. We provide guaranteed instream flows throughout the
year for fish.
How was water supply managed in the face of a low- snowpack year? Our water supply systems
(SPU) are designed and managed to collect runoff from rainfall and snowmelt and operational
changes were made in the system to capture and release water throughout the year and move it
through water supply systems. Reservoir levels are normal for this time of year due to these
operational practices.
4. How can customer's help? Although saving water in this region unfortunately won't help our
neighbors in drought- stricken parts of the state, we ask our customers to continue to use water
wisely as they would in any other year, and follow normal activities.
Planning for climate change. This year's low snowpack represents one scenario of climate change
in the future. VVe may begetting less snowpack in the future and vve are continuing 1odevelop
management methods and tools to become less reliant on it. As the snowpack decreases, we will
rely more on rainfall for supply.
Websites for additional information:
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