The SPU Water Efficiency Team This October 16, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) joins communities across the nation to observe Imagine a Day Without Water, a national campaign sponsored by the US Water Alliance that challenges us to visualize life without our most essential resource — even for just one day.
From farmers growing our food to businesses powering the regional economy to families gathering in parks and playgrounds, water is the foundation of healthy, thriving communities.
“Water connects every part of our lives,” explains SPU’s Water Efficiency team, who work daily to help 1.6 million people in the Seattle region use this precious resource wisely. “Our health, environment, and economy depend on reliable access to clean water.”
Thanks to decades of conservation efforts by residents and businesses across the region, the Seattle region uses the same amount of water today as we did in the late 1950s — despite significant population growth. That extraordinary achievement didn’t happen by accident. It happened because people like you stepped up to use water wisely.
Keep up the great work! Using water wisely helps salmon this time of year
As we celebrate our region’s commitment to water conservation on Imagine A Day Without Water, we also are taking this time to remind customers that fall is a critical time not only for refilling our reservoirs – but also for salmon. Adult salmon are currently swimming upstream to reach their spawning grounds in our local rivers and streams, after spending a few years out in the ocean. Every drop of water you save right now stays in our rivers and streams when salmon need it most.
Try these water-saving tips:
- Turn off your irrigation system. Your lawn and established plants don’t need it anymore.
- Take shorter showers and choose showers instead of baths. Showers use significantly less water.
- Check for and fix leaks. Even small leaks can add up to a lot of unnoticed water waste.
- Upgrade to water-efficient fixtures. Fall is a great time to replace older, inefficient fixtures like toilets which are the biggest water-user in the home (rebates are available!)
- Sweep, don’t spray, sidewalks and driveways. Use a broom to clear debris instead of a hose.
Using water wisely helps stretch the water supply in our reservoirs, protects salmon, and ensures we will have water for future generations. Because when we come together around water, everyone benefits so we never have to Imagine A Day Without Water.
For more water-saving tips and rebate information, visit SavingWater.org and watch our Imagine A Day Without Water video message from our Water Efficiency Team.