SPOKANE, Wash. – Due to low Spokane River water levels, the City of Spokane has enacted conservation measures, urging residents to limit outdoor water use to protect local resources.
According to the City of Spokane, due to ongoing hot and dry conditions, water flow in the Spokane River has fallen below 1,000 cubic feet per second, prompting the city to urge community members to conserve water.
These measures align with the city’s 2022 ordinance prioritizing responsible water usage to safeguard the river and the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The ordinance outlines two levels of conservation:
Level 1: Effective every summer from June 1 to October 1
No outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.Limit watering to no more than four days per week (considering an odd/even schedule).
Level 2: Activated when the Spokane River flow drops below 1,000 cfs at the Monroe Street river gauge
No outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.Limit watering to a maximum of two days per week.Restrict total watering time to no more than two hours per day.Prohibit the use of water for cleaning hardscapes like sidewalks, driveways, decks and patios.
“Protecting our water resources requires all of us to do our part,” says Water Director Loren Searl. “We’re asking our citizens to be thoughtful and limit outdoor water use.”
Further details are available on the city’s official webpage. For water-saving tips and information on water efficiency rebates, visit WaterWiseSpokane.org.
