On Aug. 11, Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma moved to the second stage of their water shortage response plans – voluntary reduction.

The three cities are working together to manage water supplies for people and fish during the drought and higher-than-normal water use. They are asking customers to help by voluntarily reducing water use by 10 percent.

If conditions worsen, each city will decide if it will move to the “mandatory” phase and require customers to reduce the amount of water they normally use each day.

Due to the combination of record-breaking summer heat, high water costs and emerging drought conditions, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department activated a water conservation program last week.

SPU issued a water level advisory for its service areas on July 27. Everett, Seattle and Tacoma implemented the first stage of their water shortage response plans as a precautionary measure, and to ensure that the region is ready for a potential water shortage.

The supply outlook was downgraded from “good” to “fair.” If it is ramped up to the “voluntary” stage, SPU will set a goal for reducing demand and ask customers to cut back on outdoor watering.

Some water-saving examples for customers from SPU include:

Water before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m., which reduces evaporation.

It is better to have one or two deep waterings, rather than several shallow waterings.

Fix obvious indoor and outdoor leaks such as faucets and hose bibs. Check for less obvious leaks such as silent toilet leaks and underground irrigation leaks. For silent toilet leaks, put several drops of food coloring in your toilet tank; after 10 minutes if you have color in the toilet bowl, you have a flapper leak.

Wash your vehicle(s) at locations that recycle their water.

Use a broom rather than a hose to clean sidewalks, driveways, and patios.

Wait until your clothes washer and dishwasher are full before starting a load.