LATEST NEWS

Summertime is Conservation Time
Summer 2007

Cascade wants to help you become a part of the solution in helping to preserve our region’s precious natural resources. In a region that’s defined by an apparent abundance of rainfall we know that our water supply can fluctuate significantly from year to year. Climate change likely will lead to even more unpredictability. Our conservation efforts today will help ensure a reliable, safe water supply for our future generations.

What can you do to make a difference? Take advantage of these water saving tips and rebate programs. And order a free water efficient showerhead today! Even small changes in our water habits today can add up to big savings over time. Last year conservation efforts helped Cascade Water Alliance save an average of 100,000 gallons each day – around 36,500,000 gallons in 2006!

Click here for Conservation Video >



Ten Tips For Saving Water
Summer 2007

You’re in charge of the water you use! When you save water, you help preserve this precious resource for people and the environment. And you’re likely to save some money as well. Even small steps can make a difference.

#1 - Fix leaky faucets right away. Those small drips can add up to hundreds or thousands of gallons in a short time.

#2 - Check your toilet for leaks annually. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet and wait 15 minutes (don't flush!). If the color seeps into the bowl, the toilet flapper is likely worn and leaking. Place the old flapper in a plastic bag and take it to the hardware store to purchase a replacement.

#3 - Run the clothes washer and dishwasher with full loads. It's a simple step, but over time the savings can really add up.

#4 - Try to keep your showers to a reasonable time.

#5 - Wash your car at a commercial car wash. You'll save water and keep pollutants out of local lakes and streams.

#6 - Keep sprinkler systems maintained to minimize overspray onto paved surfaces.

#7 - Try to match lawn watering to current weather conditions. Don't water when it's raining!

#8 - Consider upgrading your irrigation system with conservation controllers and rain sensors. Cascade offers rebates for these components.

#9 - Use a broom to sweep sidewalks and driveways rather than a hose.

#10 - Maintain pools and hot tubs and keep them covered when not in use to minimize evaporation.

Want more water savings tips? Click here for more water savings tips from Washington State Department of Ecology.



Message from the Chair:
Become A Part of the Solution
Summer 2007

We’re counting on you to be a big part of our water future. When it comes to making sure this region has enough water to meet future residential and commercial demands, even the smallest changes in our water use habits can make a big difference. At Cascade we count on conservation efforts to save us on average 100,000 gallons of water a day – that’s over 36 million gallons each year saved through conservation efforts by people like you and me!

This summer we’ve teamed up with our regional water and energy utility partners to make water efficient showerheads and aerators available free to qualifying households. They are easy to install, use less water and energy and will save you money on your utility bills each month. And, by using the new showerhead you’ll be helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cascade has lots of other tips and tools for helping you save money and water. Some are included here, and for others, visit our website.

Even with robust conservation efforts, we know the region will require additional water supply. Climate change is adding more uncertainty. Climate experts predict that the snow pack will decrease in future years, resulting in less water being stored in the high Cascades. This means we will need a diverse water supply and more reservoir capacity—both of which are part of Cascade’s supply plan. The focus now is moving from planning to acquisition and construction so that Cascade can seamlessly meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of homes, schools, and businesses who depend on us today, tomorrow and in the decades to come. Our long term supply contracts with Seattle and Tacoma, our new pipeline system and the acquisition of the Lake Tapps reservoir, in partnership with your conservation efforts will ensure that we have a reliable and sustainable water supply.

Have a great summer! Let Cascade help you save water and money this summer season. With small changes in water habits we can all be a part of the solution.

Sincerely,

Grant Degginger
Chair, Cascade Water Alliance
Mayor, City of Bellevue



Construction Update
Summer 2007

The Cascade Board reached another milestone in delivering on its mission to ensure a safe, clean predictable water source for Members for the next 50 years and beyond.

At the May meeting, Board Members unanimously passed a resolution adopting a route for the Tacoma Cascade Pipeline and authorizing design and construction of the new pipeline. The route selected is the Preferred Alternative as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Tacoma-Cascade Pipeline, issued April 26, 2007.

The Tacoma-Cascade Pipeline will connect the Tacoma Water Second Supply Pipeline (SSP) and Cascade’s Bellevue-Issaquah Pipeline (BIP), a distance of approximately 20 miles. The 42-inch-diameter pipeline and ancillary features will convey drinking water from the Tacoma system to Cascade Members for distribution through the eight cities and special districts comprising the Alliance.

“With the adoption of a route and authorization to proceed with construction, Cascade has moved from planning to building for the future,” said Grant Degginger, Chair of the Board and Mayor of Bellevue. The new supply system is necessary to meet water resource demands projected for the region’s population, the Cascade service area, and economic growth through 2060.

Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2008 when 1.1 miles of pipeline will be installed under a segment of SR 900 in Issaquah that is undergoing widening by WSDOT. “Coordinating this segment of the pipeline project with already planned WSDOT construction is one example of how Cascade is working cooperatively with other agencies and jurisdictions to avoid unnecessary disruptions for the public,” says Michael Gagliardo, Cascade’s General Manager.

For more information click here.