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Seattle’s Water Supply: Good

Seattle’s current water supply conditions at its reservoirs are good.

Seattle’s regional source of water supply comes from two rain- and snow-fed watersheds in the Cascade Mountains, the Cedar River Watershed and the Tolt River Watershed.  This is the time when mountain streamflows from the rain and spring season snowmelt typically begin to refill our storage reservoirs. 

Last week, we experienced wet, blustery and unseasonably cool weather, with a few sun breaks in between!  New snow accumulations were recorded at several of our snow monitoring stations, which is rather usual for the first week of May in our watersheds!  

Water supply reservoir water levels are now above the long-term average for this time of the year.  Water releases from reservoir storage are actively being managed to balance water supply, fish habitat, hydropower and flood management objectives for both the Cedar and South Fork Tolt Rivers.

Water consumption for the previous seven days averaged approximately 103 mgd.  That is less than the 114 mgd consumed during the same period last year, and less than the average of 123 mgd used during the same period over the years 1999-2008. 

Seattle Public Utilities asks its customers to continue to use water wisely.

Weekly Conservation Tip:

For most households, the vast majority of water is used indoors. You can get some of the biggest water savings in your home by fixing leaks.