Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 18, 2001
OLYMPIA - Following is the Department of Ecology's (Ecology) weekly report about the status of drought conditions in Washington, assistance being provided by state agencies, and what citizens can do to conserve and share water.
In some areas of the state, stream flows are running near normal levels. For example, the Snoqualmie River near Carnation is running 1,538 cubic feet per second (cfs) compared with 908 average for the river, and the Wenatchee River near Arlington is at 830 cfs compared with 714 cfs for the average.
Twelve facilities in Washington reclaim water to replenish underground water, irrigate parks and crops, wash roads and for other non-drinking purposes.
Reclaimed water has been recycled or used at least once previously.
"This year's drought has dramatically shown how crucial and limited our state's water supplies really are," said Kathy Cupps, Ecology's lead engineer for reclaimed water projects. "Communities that use reclaimed water have a drought-proof water supply to help meet their water needs."
In talking with a few communities using reclaimed water, Ecology found that the communities were not feeling the effects of this year's drought.
The city of Yelm, in Thurston Co., reclaims 100 percent of its treated water to irrigate landscaping at churches, parks, a football field and a residence. The water is also added to streams. The reclaimed water is used to recharge water under ground at a city wetland park that includes a catch-and-release fishpond for rainbow trout.
In total, the community re-uses 200,000 gallons of water a day. The city hopes eventually to re-use up to 1 million gallons of water a day.
"Because of our reclaimed water program, we can now use our precious water resource more for drinking and true domestic purposes, thus extending the life of our drinking water," said Shelly Badger, city administrator with Yelm. "We aren't 'drought proof,' but the fact that we re-use our water has helped protect us during this year's drought."
Ephrata, in Grant Co., reclaims 100 percent of the treated water from its wastewater treatment plant and uses it to recharge an underground aquifer.
The goal is to reduce the amount of nitrates in the underground water. The reclaimed water also is used for irrigation, construction sites and to control dust.
The city re-uses approximately 750,000 gallons of water a day.
"Our community has actually felt pretty lucky during this year's drought. We are one of the rare areas of the state that had an atypically good snowfall that resulted in a good runoff supply of water," said Jim Cherf, city manager for Ephrata. "I believe that by our putting re-use water into the ground, we've helped stretch the water supplies for some nearby farmers."
Run faucets at reduced pressure; avoid turning water faucets on full pressure.
Fill dishwashers and laundry machines fully before running.
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