Sumner encourages water conservation following record-breaking temps

With the month of June setting or breaking several records for hot temperatures, those without air-conditioning weren’t the only ones sweating.

While the city of Sumner’s water supply was at normal levels, the pumps to get water to homes and businesses were constantly running, causing city public works officials to become concerned should an emergency situation arise.

“All our water comes from springs to the east of the city,” said Public Works Director Bill Pugh. “They keep our tanks and our water supply full.”

Pumps help transport water from the springs to homes and businesses. However, once the June average temperature ticked up to 79 degrees, those pumps began to run full time to help with the increase in demand of water. As with any piece of machinery that isn’t used to running full time, Pugh and others began to grow concerned that the pumps couldn’t keep up. Combined with the city’s water level starting to drop — but still in the normal range — a plan was hatched for the city and others to do their best to conserve water.

The plan to conserve water is a proactive approach in order to ensure that there is enough water to go around, should a pump go down or a fire break out. According to city officials, the City has cutback its water use by 50 percent and is encouraging businesses and citizens to follow suit. The City has stopped watering lawns at most city parks, except for Loyalty Park.

“We reached out to our larger industrial businesses and encouraged them to stop watering their lawns and other plants that will come back in the fall,” Pugh said.

As for residents, the City is encouraging all to find ways to reduce their water consumption.

“For many, that means letting grass go brown to save flowers and shrubs,” a release from the City reads. “If you really can’t do that, please try watering your lawn no more than every-other day.”

The City hopes residents will cut their water use by 50 percent, and shared a few ways to make that possible.

▪ Always water everything at night. Watering while the sun is up just loses a significant portion of the water to evaporation, leaving your plants still thirsty.

▪ Take short showers instead of baths.

▪ Recycle water from things like dog bowls, kiddie pools and baths (if you must) to water plants.

▪ Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

▪ Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when you have full loads.

▪ Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of spraying them down.

For more information on the City’s encouragement to cut back on water use, visit www.ci.sumner.wa.us or call 253-863-8300.

This story was originally published July 21, 2015 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Sumner encourages water conservation following record-breaking temps."