What is DOH's role during a drought emergency?
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.
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.
For more information contact
Ginny Stern at (360)
236-3134
Back to Drought
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