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Saving Water in
Washington
Water is arguably Washington's most valuable resource, supporting a multi-
billion-dollar agricultural industry, sustaining one of the nation's most prominent
commercial fishing industries, and generating one-third of the nation's
hydroelectric power. However, the state's water supply-and its economy-are
threatened by stress from excessive water withdrawals, increasingly frequent and
intense droughts, a growing population, and the potential effects of a changing
climate.
SOURCES OF WATER
•	Similar to other western states, Washington relies
on surface water for about three-quarters of total
freshwater withdrawals—the majority of which is
sustained in warm seasons by melting snowpack.
Ground water accounts for the remaining one-
quarter of Washington's water supply.
•	Washington is split by the Cascade Mountains into
two distinct climates. The region west of the
mountains receives about 50 inches of precipitation
on average annually—about four times higher than
the drier eastern region.
•	The eastern and southwestern regions of
Washington are situated in the Columbia River
drainage basin. The Columbia River is important for
irrigation, aquatic habitat, and hydropower
generation in Washington.
SUPPLY ISSUES
•	Melting snowpack is important to maintaining water
supplies in much of the state. Due to warmer
temperatures and drought conditions, snowpack
accumulations in 2015 were at record lows. In the
Upper Yakima Basins, Central Puget Sound, and
the Olympic Peninsula, accumulations were not
measurable.
•	With decreased snowmelt in 2015, more than 80
percent of Washington's rivers showed below-
normal streamflow readings,
•	Washington's 2014 population was estimated at
nearly 7.1 million people and is expected to reach
8.8 million by 2040.
Drought conditions have caused snowpack in Washington's
Olympic Mountains to decline over the years, as the
photographs highlight above between June 2014 and June
2015. (Source: Washington Department of Ecology)
WATER USE CONCERNS
•	In May 2015, the governor declared a statewide
drought emergency, at which point an estimated 6.6
million people were affected in 48 of the state's 62
river basins.
•	Water shortages impacted the state's agricultural
crops and the state's energy supply. With drought
conditions and warmer temperatures reducing
surface water levels, hydropower production is
forecasted to decrease by 9 to 11 percent by
2020—all while population growth will result in
higher energy demands.
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/watersense EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov
*1 rQA EPA-832-F-16-003
WtlV"\ May 2016

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•	Salmon, steelhead, and trout populations are
impacted by decreased summer flows and higher
streamflow temperatures.
•	In an effort to preserve streams in Kittitas and
Yakima counties for residential water supply and
fish populations during the most recent drought, the
Washington Department of Ecology compensated
farmers for leased water rights, encouraging them to
cease summertime irrigation.
WHAT ARE WASHINGTONIANS DOING TO SAVE WATER?
Many municipalities, utilities, and businesses in
Washington are partners with WaterSense®, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency program that offers
people a simple way to identify products and homes that
use less water and perform well. Some notable water
conservation efforts by partners include the following:
•	Seattle's Saving Water Partnership is a group of 19
water utilities in Seattle and King County. The
partnership offers rebates for WaterSense labeled
toilets and other products. In 2014, this effort
resulted in more than 1,600 toilet upgrades in more
than 550 buildings and homes in Seattle.
•	Seattle Public Utilities partnered with the Seattle
Mariners baseball team in 2015 to produce a public
service announcement with the Mariner Moose to
promote WaterSense and water conservation to
fans.
•	Since 2013, Puget Sound Energy provided more
than 7,000 free energy efficiency kits equipped with
a WaterSense labeled showerhead, among other
water- and energy-saving items. The utility was the
first energy utility to be recognized as a WaterSense
Excellence Award winner.
•	The Cascade Water Alliance, a group of seven
municipalities in the Puget Sound region, works
Saving Water in Washington

Abnormally Dry
Moderate Drought
m M

¦ Severe Drought
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¦	Extreme Drought
¦	Exceptional Drought




As of October 2015, about 68 percent of Washington was
experiencing extreme drought. (Source: U.S. Drought
Monitor)
collaboratively on water efficiency programs. One of
its programs provides rebates for homes built to
meet the WaterSense homes specification and
achieve a minimum of a Built Green 3-star
certification. In 2015 alone, more than 30 new
WaterSense labeled homes have been constructed
by the six builders enrolled in the program.
• Kalaloch Lodge, a sustainable resort in Olympic
National Park, took the WaterSense hhOtel
Challenge in 2014. The resort reduced its water
consumption by more than 46 percent between
2011 and 2014 by: engaging guests and employees
in water savings competitions; implementing a towel
and linen reuse program; serving water only upon
request; and replacing restroom and kitchen fixtures
with high-efficiency models, such as WaterSense
labeled showerheads.
For more information on water use and saving in
Washington, visit www.ecy.wa.gov/drought/ and
ecologywa.blogspot.com/.
References available by request. Contact watersensetcbepa.aov for additional information.

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