Monday, October 6^th marks the end of the irrigation season for residential and business customers in the City of Yakima.  That’s the day that the irrigation systems operated by the City of Yakima’s Water/Irrigation Division will be shut off until next spring.  This is just over one week earlier than the previously scheduled shutdown of Wednesday, October 15^th.

• As directed by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the early shutdown is due to the third year of on-going drought conditions, lack of storage in the system reservoirs and lower than normal natural flows in the river systems. Other City irrigation systems that receive water from privately operated irrigation companies will also be shutting down early.

“It is a good idea for people to spend some time preparing for the shutdown,” said Irrigation Supervisor Rich Sanislo.  “If they need to do some final watering, they should get that done.  People should also winterize their own irrigation systems after the water stops flowing on October 6^th,” said Sanislo.

• In addition to early shutdown of the irrigation system, Ecology’s curtailment orders will impact the City’s domestic water supply to the water treatment plant. Starting October 6^th, the City will be required to stop diverting all water at the water treatment plant. It is anticipated this requirement will end October 31^st. As a result, the City will be required to temporarily transition its domestic water supply to groundwater wells. With limited capacity of groundwater wells, customers are asked to cut back on domestic water use where possible, including discontinuing the use of their domestic water for lawn and landscape irrigation purposes.

“Customers are asked to cut back on domestic water use where possible until we are able to begin operating the water treatment plant again,” said Water/Irrigation Manager Mike Shane. “Anything customers can do, including ending lawn and landscape irrigation starting October 6th, will help avoid over-taxing the system.”

Ideas for conserving water can be found at https://www.yakimawa.gov/services/water-irrigation/drought-conservation/. As always, please use water wisely and make every drop count.

The City of Yakima provides domestic water service to over 72,000 residents, as well as commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Its main source is the surface water supply from the Naches River through the City’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

The City of Yakima has operated an irrigation system since the early 1900’s, which currently provides irrigation water to about 11,000 customers. 

For more information, contact Water/Irrigation Manager Mike Shane at 509-576-6480.