Three water districts serving Lake Forest Park ask customers for voluntary conservation

Lake Forest Park is served by four water districts. Three of them - Northshore Utility District, North City Water District, and SPU - get their water from Seattle, which has called for voluntary conservation.

The Lake Forest Park Water District gets its water from an underground aquifer. Here is their statement on the current situation:

While Lake Forest Park Water District always promotes water conservation, and is part of the WA State Department of Health Water Use Efficiency Program like all water districts in the State, we currently DO NOT have a shortage of our water supply and no voluntary or mandatory water restrictions are in place for Lake Forest Park Water District customers at this time.

Outdoor water use makes up the largest portion of additional summer water use.  With the first stage of Seattle's Water Shortage Contingency Plan in effect, we are advising all customers to be especially careful about water use.  Below are some key ways you can be as efficient as possible with your landscape water needs.

1.  "Smart Watering" for plants means:

• Water in the am rather than the pm to limit evaporation
• Watering deeply but less frequently
• Watering directly at the roots rather than all over - soaker hoses help
• Watering according to plant/soil needs.  Check out "How Often and How Much to Water" at savingwater.org

2.  Add compost or mulch to plant soil to hold moisture and prevent evaporation.

3.  If using an automatic irrigation system:

• Have a professional check and adjust it annually - watch for leaks!
• Install a rain shut-off device - ask an irrigation expert where to find one
• Adjust watering controls with the seasons - i.e., September needs less water than August

4.  If planting, consider native plants and plants specially designed for YOUR unique landscape conditions.  Maintenance needs are lower when tailor-scaped to your soil and climate. This "Right Plant Right Place" guide can help.

Find more resources for water-efficient landscaping here.