Description
Water is a valuable resource, critical for wellbeing of people, fish, and ecosystems. As our region’s summers become hotter and drier due to climate change, the importance of efficient water use increases. King County government is a major water consumer, using water for a variety of functions in its office buildings and restrooms, to irrigate playfields and parks, and to clean and support processes at solid waste, transit, and wastewater facilities. This water usage and associated wastewater treatment costs total several million dollars per year across County agencies. Energy and associated GHG emissions to heat and pump potable water, and to pump and treat wastewater, are also significant.
Since the 2020 SCAP, County agencies have taken steps to better manage and reduce County government water usage. This includes initial baselining of water usage data; implementing projects to reduce water usage, such as limited installation of low flow toilets; planting more drought tolerant landscaping; and adding water-related credits and actions into the County’s green building program and scorecard. King County will further progress on this work by (1) completing a water usage inventory for all major water uses; (2) continuing to implement water usage reduction strategies; and (3) completing an operational Drought Response Strategy by 2027 focused on water use efficiency and actions County agencies can take during periods of drought when local water utilities ask customers to take water conservation steps. Collectively, these actions will save resources and contribute to a more drought resilient King County.