NEWSLETTER FOR SKAGIT PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT CUSTOMERS

IN SKAGIT COUNTY, we live in a beautiful, thriving area, and water is one of our most essential resources. We must manage this limited resource carefully to ensure adequate water for human needs and the environment.

With our plentiful rainfall, it’s easy to take water for granted, but we must each do our part to use water wisely. Doing so not only benefits our community, but also the plants, animals, and fish that depend on water for survival.

Most water conservation is simple and inexpensive — a little common sense goes a long way. Please choose the best conservation tips for you and start saving water today!

Outdoor Conservation Tips
Outdoors is a great place to focus on water conservation. Landscape watering consumes the greatest percentage of outdoor water, whether a traditional lawn, shrubs, or garden.

Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to cut down on landscape watering. The following tips can help reduce water use and ensure a healthy, beautiful landscape.

Water Effectively

• Water only when needed. One inch of water a week, including rainfall, is all your lawn needs.
• Match sprinklers to the area being watered to avoid watering streets and driveways.
• Water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
• Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses in your garden areas. These provide a slow, steady supply of water to the root zone.
• Use watering timers that automatically shut off sprinklers.
• Collect rainwater in a barrel and use it to water non-edible plants. Skagit PUD makes and sells rain barrels for $60.

Improve Soil

• Improve your soil by adding compost. Compost increases the ability of soil to hold water.
• Apply surface mulch (organic matter) around plants, which reduces evaporation.
• Aerate your lawn annually if you have compacted soil. Aeration allows water to get to the roots.

Plant Smart

• Use native, water-wise plants. These plants require less water and less care.
• Match plants to your yard conditions. Many plants die because they are planted in the wrong location.
• Group plants according to water needs. Grouping makes watering much more efficient.
• Plant in the spring or fall when watering requirements are lower.
• Minimize the amount of lawn. Lawns require at least twice as much water as most plants.

Water Quality Reports Now Available Online

Every time you turn on the tap in your home, you receive one of the world’s most precious commodities — fresh, clean drinking water. At Skagit PUD, we are committed to providing you with the safest and most reliable drinking water possible at an affordable price. As part of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all water utilities to provide their customers with an annual water quality report. Skagit PUD’s water undergoes rigorous testing beyond what is required by state and federal laws. In 2022, your water met all requirements and exceeded the standards in many cases. The Water Quality Report documents the PUD’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality drinking water to our customers. View the report to read about the source of your water and the measures we take to ensure it remains clean and safe. The report also includes the annual progress update on Skagit PUD’s Water Use Efficiency goals. If you wish to have a paper copy, you can print one directly from our website or receive a hard copy version by contacting the PUD’s Water Quality department at (360) 848-2135.

New Website Launched

We’re proud to announce the launch of our redesigned website. It’s now live and located at the same address: https://www.skagitpud.org.

We’ve completely redesigned the user interface and layout to enhance your online experience. The new site was designed to be easier to navigate, improved security, and more user-friendly.

Heat Advisory Protection

In April, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law House Bill 1329, which places a moratorium on utility shutoffs for inability to pay during a National Weather Service heat-related warning or alert. In adherence with the new law, Skagit PUD will take the following steps when the Weather Service issues or announces that it intends to issue a heat advisory for our area: A residential user whose water service has been disconnected for lack of payment may request the district to reconnect service. Skagit PUD will make a reasonable attempt to reconnect service and may require the residential user to enter into a payment plan before reconnecting service. The PUD may choose to postpone the disconnection of service(s) until the National Weather Service heat advisory is no longer in effect. The new law doesn’t relieve residents of their obligation to pay their utility bills. Its purpose is to protect human health and safety by preventing utility shutoffs for failure to pay during extreme heat.