 |
 |
As a native of Western Washington I remember many summers praying for at least one good week of hot weather. As the fall rains arrive I can't remember a longer and hotter summer than the one we just enjoyed. We've had almost no rain since May and temperatures topping 100 degrees.
So why no water shortages similar to those we experienced a decade ago? While growth in the region has slowed there are still more people and businesses than when we endured mandatory water restrictions. No major new supply sources have been added to the region since Tacoma finished its Second Supply pipeline from the Green River in 2002. So shouldn't we have had water restrictions somewhere?
Looking across the region, water demands are lower everywhere. I am not aware of any city or water district that set a new peak day water record this summer. The highest peak usage day on the Sammamish Plateau was in 2003, long before rapid growth slowed. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the regional and national trend toward lower water usage despite growing population: Read Full Story >
Sincerely,
Lloyd Warren
Chair, Cascade Board of Directors
Commissioner, Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer District
|
 |
Standard & Poor's announced on September 4 that it increased its rating on Cascade's long-term and underlying rating to AA+ from AA- on the Series 2006 water system revenue bonds. At the same time, Standard & Poor's assigned its 'AA+' long-term rating to the Cascade's series 2009A tax-exempt water system revenue bonds and series 2009B taxable water system revenue bonds (Build America Bonds). Read Full Story >
|
 |
 The third meeting of the Cascade Water Connections Working Group was held September 10th. The 25 members who attended reviewed ranking scenarios of various projects and looked at comparison of rankings, looking at quadrant analysis of the projects, and considered recommendations and next steps.
The input from this meeting was presented at the Resource Management Committee, which met later that day.
The Connections Working Group agreed that the top ranked projects overall should be forwarded for more in-depth analysis and the low ranking projects be taken off the list of potential supply projects at this time. Read Full Story >
|
 |
Redmond Mayor John Marchione and Cascade's Intergovernmental and Communications Director Elaine Kraft visited Washington DC and met with staffs of Congressman Dicks, Inslee, Reichert and Smith and Senators Murray and Cantwell, as well as key agency staff.
The meetings provided an opportunity to update the delegation on Cascade's progress since Bellevue Mayor Degginger and Marchione visited in January. Since that time agreements have been signed with the Lake Tapps Homeowners and conceptual agreements are in place with the cities of Auburn, Bonney Lake, Buckley and Sumner regarding water. Read Full Story >
|
 |
 Joe Mickelson has been named Operations Manager and will oversee operations and maintenance of Cascade's Lake Tapps facilities.
Cascade will complete the purchase of Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy by the end of the year and Mickelson will oversee all Lake Tapps and related operations of the lake, including a powerhouse, eight miles of wood and concrete flumes, pipes, open channels, basis and a fish screen facilities. Joe has spent the last 30 years at Seattle Public Utilities, most recently serving as Water Operations Director. He has also worked on pipeline, watershed and culvert programs, and has overseen capital programs and operations and maintenance efforts. Read Full Story >
|
|
 |
 |
Cascade and the WaterSense® Program
You may have seen or heard the term WaterSense® recently. What is it and what does it mean to you?
WaterSense® is a national program sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that seeks to protect the future of our water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices. It is a companion labeling program to the well known EnergyStar® program.
Cascade Water Alliance is a WaterSense® partner. The installation of WaterSense® labeled products in homes and businesses represents a major portion of the savings from Cascade's conservation program.
Cascade offers rebates for toilets, urinals and weather-based irrigation controllers with the WaterSense® label. This year, hundreds of Cascade customers have taken advantage of toilet rebates for WaterSense® labeled products. In addition to reduced water use and utility bill savings, customers are reporting great performance from WaterSense® labeled toilets. Read Full Story > |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Interested in hearing more about Cascade Water Alliance or regional water issues? Cascade staff and board members regularly present to business, civic and community groups. If you'd like a speaker at an upcoming meeting, just let us know. Contact Cascade at info@cascadewater.org or 425.453.0930. |
 |
 |
| |
Cascade Water Alliance
11400 SE 8th Street
Suite 440
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.453.0930 Phone
Email > |
|
|
