Press Release
Public Works

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In Response to Fourth Consecutive Drought: Kittitas County Residents Urged to Conserve Water

Kittitas County, WA - 06/24/2026 - On April 8, 2026, the Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency. This is the fourth consecutive drought-year in the Yakima Basin. The declaration reflects unusually low snowpack and streamflows that are creating challenges for agriculture, fish, and river ecosystems throughout the region.

As a result of drought conditions, pro-ratable irrigation water users are receiving only 52% of their normal water supply, some junior water rights have been restricted, and streamflows remain critically low. This marks the fourth consecutive drought year in the Yakima Basin.
 
Water is one of our community's most valuable resources. Kittitas County encourages all residents to use water efficiently and take practical steps to reduce demand on our rivers and groundwater supplies.
Kittitas County has secured senior water rights to provide legal protection for certain small-scale rural well groundwater uses. As a result, many residents who rely on these wells for household water have improved water security during drought conditions.  This protection is limited to indoor domestic uses and irrigation of up to 500 square feet of exterior yard.
 
All County residents are encouraged to conserve water whenever possible. Important steps we can take to conserve water include:

• Limiting areas that require regular irrigation;
• Using efficient irrigation methods;
• Watering during the early morning or evening hours;
• Adding mulch to planting beds;
• Planting drought-tolerant vegetation;
• Identifying and repairing leaks in plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems;
• Raising lawn mower blades to at least 3 inches to promote deeper roots and improve soil moisture retention; and
• Consider allowing your go dormant (“go blond”) during the summer by watering deeply and infrequently rather than applying frequent, shallow watering

Kittitas County has prepared a water conservation brochure available for free at 411 North Ruby Street in Ellensburg.

Kittitas County is working with Yakima Basin Integrated Plan partners to improve long-term water reliability through conservation, water storage development, habitat and watershed restoration, and water market tools that help move water to where it is needed most.  More information about the Integrated Plan is available online at www. https://yakimabasinintegratedplan.org

• CONSERVING WATER BROCHURE.pdf

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us

###

Contact: Arden Thomas, 509-962-7523, arden.thomas@co.kittitas.wa.us

Sign up for email notifications

---