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Due to seasonal low water flow conditions in the Skagit River, the City of Anacortes and Skagit Public Utility District water customers are asked to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 10%. The Washington State Department of Ecology has established minimum instream flows for the Skagit River. These minimum flow levels fluctuate throughout the year and are designed to protect fish habitat primarily.

There are generally two times a year when we anticipate the Skagit River falling below instream flow levels – once in late winter and early spring, and again in late summer and fall.

When the river falls below these prescribed levels, Skagit PUD and the City of Anacortes are required to provide public notification under a long-term water rights agreement signed in 1996.

We ask every customer to help by saving 15-20 gallons of water daily. Here are some simple water-saving ideas you can use at home:

Shorter showers – five minutes or less.

Turn the water off when brushing your teeth.

Let lawns go dormant in the summer.

Water plants deeply and less often.

Flush the toilet less.

Direct questions regarding water conservation to Brian McDaniel, water system manager, at 360-299-1510 or [email protected]. Visit the Anacortes Public Works Facebook Page for alerts.

Source: Skagit PUD