Do More to Save More (Water)

In light of Seattle University’s Laudato Si commitment, Facilities Services and the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability are asking the SU community to do our part in an effort to reduce our water use.

After an unusually dry summer, Seattle Public Utilities activated the Voluntary Stage of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The 1.5 million people in the greater Seattle area who get water from the Seattle regional water system are being asked to reduce their water use voluntarily. Visit the Saving Water Partnership website for a full list of actions you can take to save water. Here are some top actions we are asking customers to take:

·         Reduce rinsing, scrape your plate and let the dishwasher do the rest.

·         Shorten your shower. Save 2 gallons for every minute you shave off your shower.

·         Don’t leave the tap running. Turn off the water while shaving and brushing your teeth.

·         Use a broom. Sweep to clean patios and sidewalks instead of using a hose or power washer.

·         Run full loads. Wait to run your washing machine or dishwasher until it’s full.

·         Turn off irrigation and decorative fountains. 

The water we drink comes from snow and rain that collects in two reservoirs in the Cascade Mountains. Although it has been raining lately in Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is still concerned about having sufficient water for people and fish through the end of the year. Their goal is to reduce water use to 100 million gallons a day – as of last month, SPU was down to 104 million gallons a day! Visit Seattle Public Utilities’' Blog to keep up with the latest water supply information.