Water is an increasingly precious commodity in some places. But in the central Puget Sound region, we will have sufficient quantities of high quality, great tasting water for decades. Our tri-county area has been able to maintain and protect a reliable water supply because our region prioritized the wise stewardship of water, smart infrastructure investments, and regional collaboration. Today, customers served by Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma collectively use less water than they did 30 years ago, despite significant population growth.
TAP INTO IT!
Individual utilities are required to develop comprehensive water system plans that cover near- and long-term water needs. Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Cascade Water Alliance all have plans available online. Individually, these plans show how each water provider will be able to meet the ongoing demands for water for years to come.
As a group, the Forum has issued Water Supply Outlook reports that present an overview of current water demands and supplies across all three counties. The reports also assess future supply/demand issues, water use trends, and the challenges water providers face. The first report was issued in 2001 with subsequent reports in 2009 and 2012.
WATER FOR HABITAT
The Puget Sound region is home to many species of salmon. The foundation for a healthy salmon run is a healthy habitat – including water flow and water quality. Forum members actively implement programs to improve the salmon habitats. Seattle and Tacoma have habitat conservation plans, while Everett and King County manage several initiatives to protect the water quality salmon depend on for survival.
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