Updated: Dec. 11, 2023
Thanks to recent rain and water conservation efforts by customers, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) announced on Dec. 11 that they are no longer asking residents to use less water. The mountain reservoirs have refilled, and there is an adequate supply of water for both people and fish for the foreseeable future.
Cascade Water Alliance, which Bellevue is a member of, has also deactivated its Water Shortage Plan as well. As a member of Cascade Water Alliance, Bellevue has also deactivated its Water Shortage Management Plan.
Water customers were asked to voluntarily reduce water.
Seattle Public Utilities activated the Voluntary stage of its Water Shortage Plan on Sept. 21. and asked all residents and businesses in the region to voluntarily reduce water use. In support of SPU’s efforts, our regional water supplier, Cascade Water Alliance, activated its Water Shortage Plan as well. As a member of Cascade Water Alliance, Bellevue also activated its Water Shortage Management Plan.
Why are we no longer asking customers to reduce water use?
Storms in November and early December have refilled the reservoir water storage to 100% of normal for this time of year. The region has received enough rain to substantially replenish our mountain reservoirs and have sufficient water to meet winter needs.
SPU made this decision based on the current amount of water stored in our reservoirs and modeling that predicts future reservoir conditions based on weather forecasts and estimated water use by people and river flows.
How much water did customers save? Did customers save enough water?
While SPU doesn’t have exact numbers, the region achieved the goal of stretching the water supply until enough rain was received to significantly increase the water stored in our reservoirs. So in that sense, yes, customers saved enough water and we thank the region's water customers for helping to achieve this important goal.
How can customers continue to help save water?
We always ask everyone to use water wisely. Some of the largest ways to save water involve irrigation, which doesn’t occur in the winter. Some actions that can reduce your water year-round include:
- 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.
- Wash your vehicle(s) at locations that recycle their water.
- Use a broom, rather than a hose, to clean sidewalks, driveways and patios.
- Wait until your clothes washer and dishwasher are full before starting.
- Turn off the faucet while you are washing dishes and brushing your teeth.
Visit the Saving Water Partnership’s website for more information and the full list of actions you can take to save water.
