Gov. Gregoire�s statement on dry weather affecting Washington state

For Immediate Release: August 3, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement on the hot, dry weather affecting Washington state:

�Our unusually hot and dry weather has caused many of our streams to run much drier than normal, and some areas of Washington are experiencing drought-like conditions. More than 30 counties are experiencing a high or very high fire danger. State agencies are monitoring the situation. While we don�t yet have conditions warranting a drought emergency declaration, the dry conditions serve as a reminder that water is a limited resource affected by climate and weather.

�I�m asking water providers to redouble their efforts to promote careful water use among their customers, and I�m directing state agencies to encourage water conservation to help preserve our water supplies.

�State agencies will continue to closely monitor water supplies and will alert me if the situation worsens. In the meantime, we can all do our part to make sure we don�t run out of water for people, farms and salmon.�

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The Department of Ecology recommends these water-saving tips:

� Choose plumbing fixtures with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency�s WaterSense label to reduce water use. Water efficient appliances and fixtures can reduce water use up to 20 percent.

� Fix leaks around the house and save hundreds of gallons. A leak the size of a pin can waste 360,000 gallons of water each year.

� Reducing the size of your lawn and choosing drought tolerant plants also are great ways to save water. Installing outdoor irrigation sensors and timers can save up to 50 percent of water lost due to poor timing, run-off, and evaporation.

� Don�t water in the heat of the day. Fifty percent of the water used evaporates before it even gets to the plant roots. Water in the morning before noon and in the evening after 6 p.m.