Following is the text from SPU’s press release, issued Tuesday, August 11, 2015: 

After unusually hot weather, the region’s all-time driest May-July and in preparation of a potentially drier-than-normal fall, Everett, Seattle and Tacoma have moved to the second stage of their water shortage response plans – voluntary reduction.

The voluntary stage has been enacted because the potential for a water supply shortage continues to increase. The three cities are working together to manage water supplies for people and fish during the drought and higher-than-normal water use.

They are asking customers for their help by voluntarily reducing their water use by 10 percent.  During the weeks of August 12-26, our region met this goal.  Thank you for continuing your efforts to save water.

In an effort to stretch their water supplies as far as possible, all three cities are making operational changes and activating supplementary water supplies.

If conditions worsen, each city will decide if it will move to the “mandatory” phase of water shortage response and require customers to further reduce the amount of water they normally use each day.

Ways people can reduce their water use:

• Let your lawn go dormant and limit plant watering to twice a week – Doing this at home and at businesses can make a big difference.
• Water plants before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. — If you are watering, do it during this timeframe to reduce the impact of evaporation.
• Reduce your showering time at home, work and the gym
• Check for and fix leaks now, including checking your toilets for silent leaks
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
• Find more water saving tips at www.savingwater.org

For more information:

• Seattle’s current water supply outlook