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

The Department of Health regulates more than 16,000 public water systems in Washington, serving about five million people. Our goal is to assure our communities have safe and reliable drinking water.

What is DOH’s role during a drought emergency?

During a drought emergency, the state Department of Health:

Works with the Governor’s office, Dept. of Ecology and other state agencies to monitor drought impacts on water supplies; and provides technical assistance to at-risk water systems, including helping them apply for emergency grants.

Helps utilities manage and conserve water and restore safe and reliable water in the event shortages or outages do occur.

Educates systems, operators and consumers about what they can do to help assure an adequate water supply for people, agriculture, businesses, and fish.

Which communities are most vulnerable to drought-related water shortages?

Each water system is unique, and neighboring systems may experience the drought very differently depending on their sources of water, their water storage capability, the condition of their facilities, etc. In general, systems that depend on surface water sources may be more vulnerable in times of drought. Reduced stream flows can affect water intakes and reservoir levels, which can reduce available water supply.

Other vulnerable systems include those that depend on local rainfall. Systems in coastal and island areas, and those with shallow wells and springs (typically with a depth of less than 150 feet), are at highest risk for drought impacts. Given this season’s extremely low snowpack, impacts may be felt elsewhere – especially in areas that depend on snow melt.

Other than running out of water, could there be other impacts on water systems?

During times of high demand and drought, some smaller water systems may fail. Extended hot spells can increase the demand for water, stressing a water system’s ability to keep up with demand. Pumps and other mechanical systems could break, causing a loss of pressure or water outage, creating an opportunity for contamination to enter the system and raising health concerns.

What can I do to help?

We can all help protect our water supplies. The best way to reduce the strain on your water system is to use less water. The biggest residential use of water is outdoors: lawn watering, gardening and landscaping. Most landscapes can be healthy with 25 to 40 percent less water than they typically get.

Other actions you can take include:

If you’re landscaping this year, seek out water-wise plants.

Postpone large plantings, if possible, until the rains return next fall.

Wash full loads of clothes and dishes.

Fix leaking toilets and faucets.

Don’t leave water running in your bathroom or kitchen sinks.

Dept. of Health drought contact:

Ginny Stern (360) 236-3134

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Dept. of Health
Office of Drinking Water
243 Israel Road S.E. 2nd floor
Tumwater, WA 98501 Mail:
P.O. Box 47822
Olympia, WA 98504-7822
(360) 236-3100

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Last Update : 01/10/2006 02:17 PM