Drought in Washington State WA, Office of Drinking Water water system management WA State Dept. of Health

On March 10, Governor Christine Gregoire authorized the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to declare a statewide drought emergency, based on the extremely low snow pack in the mountains and record-low flows that are being seen in many rivers across the state. Complete news release.

Emergency declaration and response (Ecology Web Site)

Drought-related news releases

Department of Health's role in a drought emergency

Publications:

For water systems:

Options for Success (PDF 866 KB)
Preparing Water Shortage Response Plans (PDF 125 KB)
Guidance Document: Water Shortage Response Plans for Small Public Drinking Water Systems (PDF 280 KB)
Emergency Drinking Water Sources: Requirements for using emergency sources safely (PDF 123 KB)
Drought and Drinking Water (PDF 1994 KB) special Drought edition of Water Tap 2001
Guidelines: Truck Transportation-Emergency Water Supply for Public Use
Water Conservation Planning Handbook: A 53 page guidance document to help public water systems planning water conservation activities. Published jointly with the Department of Ecology. How to order.

For consumers: These are PDFs that print three brochures per page (200-400 KB)

Call Amy Swecker at (360) 236-3164 for information about ordering copies or camera-ready artwork.

Related Links:

Water Use Efficiency Links

US Drought Monitor

USGS Drought Watch

NOAA Drought Information Center

Dept. of Health drought contact:

Ginny Stern (360) 236-3134

Drought 2005

Water Tap
Special Drought Edition
July 2005

Click photos to view

At the March 10, 2005, news conference, Governor Christine Gregoire, flanked by Ecology Director Jay Manning and Agriculture Director Valoria Loveland, announces that she is authorizing a statewide drought emergency.
(Ecology photo)

Ecology Director Jay Manning (with Governor Christine Gregoire and Agriculture Director Valoria Loveland) declares a statewide drought emergency.
(Ecology photo)

At the Alder Lake Park swimming area, a depth marker that reads from 12 feet to "low water, no diving" is completely exposed as of March 18.
(Photo by John Ryding, DOH)

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Last Update : 10/26/2009 02:21 PM