Welcome to our conservation page.

At Soos Creek Water & Sewer District water conservation is a high priority. We will periodically update this page to provide you with water saving tips and suggestions. We also hope to inform you of why conservation is so important for one of our most precious resources, water.

WashWise - Washing Machine Rebate Program

WashWise is a collaboration of Pacific Northwest electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities who have joined together to promote resource efficient washers in retail stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The general goals of WashWise are to dramatically increase the market share of resource efficient washers in the program area and to influence the development and support of maximum energy and water efficiency levels for revised federal clothes washer standards.

If you purchase a qualified WashWise washing machine and you are a water customer of Soos Creek, you are eligible for a $100 cash rebate. All rebates will be mailed to you in the form of a check from Seattle Public Utilities. It's easy for participants to receive a cash rebate for a resource efficient washer. A WashWise rebate form will be given to the purchaser by the retailer, along with a copy of the purchase receipt.

Submit one copy of the rebate form and receipt to:

Seattle Public Utilities Resource Conservation Office

Attn: Billie Fisher, Program Assistant

710 2nd Avenue, Room 505

Seattle, WA 98104

The participant will then receive a check for the proper rebate amount within 30 days. To date, over 300 Soos Creek water customers have taken advantage of the WashWise washing machine rebate. If you are thinking about purchasing a new washing machine and you are a water customer of the District, we encourage you to purchase a qualified WashWise machine

Water Supply Update and Water Conservation Tips

Since last October, we have experienced extremely dry weather. The snow pack and reservoir levels are below what they normally are at this time of the year. Until we have measurable improvement in the reservoir or snow pack situation, a tight water situation may potentially exist this summer and/or fall. Conserving now helps to better ensure that we will have enough water to carry us through the hot dry months of July, August and September.

If everyone starts conserving today, we greatly reduce the possibility for steep reductions later in the year. The following conservation tips help water supply, the environment and your pocketbook.

• Wash only full loads. This applies to washing machines and dishwashers.
• Repair leaks. Find and fix faucet and toilet leaks. Place a couple of drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl, it means there is a leak and you probably need a new flapper, which is very easy to replace in the toilet tank.
• Reduce shower flow. Install a water-efficient showerhead with a 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) rating. Also try spending a minute less in the shower.
• Reduce faucet flow. Avoid letting the water run when brushing teeth, washing dishes or shaving. Install faucet aerators that use one g.p.m. or less.
• Reduce outdoor water use. Sweep the driveway or sidewalk instead of hosing it off.
• Use natural lawn care practices now for a healthier lawn this summer. Aerate compacted soil to improve your lawn roots and help them hold more water.
• Prepare your garden using natural garden practices. Dig compost into your soil to increase its ability to retain water, and apply mulch around your plants to avoid evaporation.

For more information on conservation check out SavingWater.org.