Customer Voluntary Water Use Reduction is Successful

We had an unusually dry summer and the Seattle Regional Water System faced a potential water shortage this fall. We asked our customers to voluntarily reduce their water use to help stretch the region’s water supply for people and fish until we got enough rain this fall to refill the mountain reservoirs to the necessary levels.

Thanks to your efforts and the recent fall rains, combined reservoir storage hit 100%! This is wonderful news.

Visit Seattle Public Utilities' blog to keep up with the latest water supply information, including how the region is doing to meet our 100 million gallons per day goal.

Using water wisely is always a good idea even during the rainy season.

Here are some ways to use less water:

Indoors

If you have a dishwasher. Washing by hand typically uses more water.
Shorten your shower. Save 2 gallons for every minute you shave off your shower.
Don’t leave the tap running. Turn off the water while shaving and brushing your teeth.
Run full loads. Wait to run your washing machine or dishwasher until it’s full.

Outdoors

Delay car washing or use a car wash that recycles water
Use a broom. Sweep to clean patios and sidewalks instead of using a hose or power washer.
Turn off water fountains and decorative water features
Delay non-essential pressure washing
Delay filling pools and hot tubs