Weekly drought update: Ecology Department launches drought hotline

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - March 29, 2005

05-072

Weekly drought update: Ecology Department launches drought hotline

OLYMPIA - The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has launched a toll-free hotline to help answer questions about this year's drought emergency.

People can call Ecology's drought and well-drilling hotline at 800-468-0261 to:

Determine who they should contact at Ecology for information about their water right (press menu option 1).
Ask general questions or share their concerns about the statewide drought emergency (menu option 2).
Learn how to lease, sell, donate or purchase a water right (menu option 3).
Get information about well-drilling construction and licensing information (menu option 4).

Water users who have state-issued water-right claims, permits or certificates should call the department's appropriate regional office with their specific, drought-related questions.

In Western Washington, water-right holders with drought-related queries about their water rights in Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties should call Ecology's Bellevue office at 425-649-7020.

Those who hold water rights in Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties should call the department's Lacey office at 360-407-0278.

For Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan and Yakima counties, people should call Ecology's Yakima office at 509-575-2597.

Those in Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties should call the department's Spokane office at 509-329-3400.

STATUS OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS According to the National Weather Service, the recent rain and mountain snowfall has helped temporarily ease drought conditions in many areas of the state. The amount of March precipitation is close to what Washington normally receives for the month. Snow pack levels around the state have increased to between 17 to 52 percent of normal but are likely to diminish quickly in warm weather.

The driest area in the state is still the Yakima basin, which would have to have twice the normal level of precipitation between now and June just to reach about 75 percent of regular water supplies.

HOW STATE GOVERNMENT IS HELPING On Thursday, March 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Washington Agricultural Statistics Service will issue its annual report on what crops farmers are expecting to plant this year.

Based on extensive discussions with farmers, the agricultural statistics (Ag Stats) service staff will provide information about the amount of acres farmers intend to plant this season. The information will give policy-makers a clear picture of how the agricultural community is responding to this year's drought conditions. In June, Ag Stats will follow up with a report about what farmers actually planted. Thursday afternoon's report will be posted on the Ag Stats Web site (http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa/).

The state Department of Health (DOH) has useful resources and information to help water systems prepare for drought and to provide consumer tips for conserving water. DOH has launched a drought Web page (see URL address below) to make it easy for the 16,000 water systems in the state and their customers to find crucial drought information.

The Department of Ecology has received 52 requests from water users in the Yakima River basin to drill new (25 requests) or reactivate existing emergency wells (27 applications). The department is hosting two workshops today (March 29) at the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St., to describe how Ecology will make decisions on the requests. The department also has received 17 offers from senior water-right holders in the Yakima basin to lease water to area junior water-right holders.

CONSERVATION TIPS FOR THE WEEK As people get ready to plant new landscaping, put in their gardens or ready their lawns for spring, there are a variety of things that can be done now to use less water later this spring and summer:

Plan first, plant second - Draw a scale picture of your home and yard. Consult a professional landscape architect, master gardener or local nursery for advice about putting water-efficient yard and gardening principles in place to save you time and money.
Smaller lawns - Lawns are the largest water user in most yards. Before planting, contact your local nursery to determine the proper variety of grass to use. Consider only planting lawns where they are truly needed, such as play areas.
Soil improvement - Determine your soil type and nutrient needs. Adding organic matter will improve overall soil quality and reduce water and fertilizer needs.
Water wisely - Use efficient watering systems such as sprinklers for grass and drip, spray or bubble delivery systems for shrubs and ground covers. Make sure your irrigation system is working properly and can be adjusted for weather changes.
Use mulch - Placing mulch over the soil will help cool the soil, reduce weed growth, slow erosion and minimize water evaporation.
Right plant, right place - Contact your local nursery, master gardener or home improvement center for information on low water-using and drought-resistant plants appropriate to our climate. Plants with similar water needs should be placed together to maximize water efficiency and minimize costs.
Maintenance - Regularly weed your yard and garden since weeds compete for the same water that your grass and plants use. This will save you time and keep your water bill low.

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Media contacts: Curt Hart, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7139; pager, 360-971-9610
Kate Sandboe, Department of Agriculture, 360-902-1815

Ecology Drought Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov (under "Features," click on "2005 drought")
Health Drought Web site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/drought/droughthome.htm (information about drought-related drinking-water issues)