Look Ahead: Summer Water Conservation 

As 2024 advances, we are seeing a change in our precipitation rates, with this year looking to leave our region with less available water due to reduced rainfall, lower snowpack in our mountains, and overall warmer conditions. These types of conditions typically lead to greater stress on our underground aquifers, where our drinking water comes from. During drought conditions, the need for water conservation becomes more crucial than ever. With reservoirs dwindling and groundwater levels dropping, our community must preserve every precious drop. Conservation efforts take center stage, urging individuals, businesses, and governments to adopt mindful practices to mitigate the impact of water scarcity.

From simple habits like fixing leaks and reducing shower times to more significant initiatives such as investing in water-efficient appliances and landscaping, every action counts in the battle against drought. Beyond individual efforts, community-wide campaigns promoting awareness and education play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of conservation. By embracing sustainable practices and innovation in water management, we can navigate drought conditions while safeguarding this invaluable resource. 

As we draw closer to summer, when the highest demands for potable water take place, the City will take steps to work across our community to ensure we cast a wide enough net to educate, incentivize, and help manage our water. We look forward to your help and encourage you to follow along for opportunities you can implement as you go about your day-to-day activities in and around our community.

Flushing Distribution Lines: Drinking Water

Once again, the City is on a journey to revitalize our drinking water lines! Flushing these lines is a major factor in maintaining a clean and healthy water supply for our community.

Flushing involves the controlled release of water through pipes, effectively clearing out any sediment or buildup. This process ensures that you receive the highest quality water, free from impurities and maintaining optimal taste. By regularly flushing our water lines, we enhance water flow, reduce the risk of contaminants, and extend the life of our infrastructure.

Our Operations team takes great pride in ensuring this task gets completed due to its benefits – improved water quality, increased system reliability, and a community-wide commitment to health and well-being. Let’s not take for granted the gift of clean water provided by our City, where clean, refreshing water flows for all!

Cheers to a hydrated and thriving City!

What Not to Flush

Our sewer system is a vital component of a healthy community, keeping things flowing smoothly benefits us all. But guess what? It needs a little help from all of us to stay in top shape. Flushing the wrong things down the toilet or sink can quickly lead to unhealthy problems. 

For this reason, we’ve made a list of the most common items NOT to flush:

1. Wet Wipes: Even if they claim to be "flushable," wet wipes can clog up our pipes. Toss them in the trash instead.
2. Paper Towels and Tissues: Toilet paper is a superstar that dissolves, but paper towels and tissues, not so much. Bin them, don’t flush them!
3. Cotton Swabs and Dental Floss: These guys love to tango in pipes, leading to blockages. Show them the trash can instead.
4. Hygiene Products: Tampons and pads don’t belong in the toilet, please put them into the trash.
5. Medications: Flushing meds can mess with our water supply. Take them to a pharmacy or free medication disposal location for a safe send-off.
6. Diapers: Diapers are not sewer friendly. Trash them, please!
7. Grease and Cooking Oil: Don't shrink your pipes by clogging them with oil and grease. Collect grease and oil in a separate container for the trash.
8. Hair: Keep the shower drain hair-free. Collect and bin it.

It’s easy to just flush these items down the drain and never look back, but it’s not so easy to clean up the mess when things go wrong. Let's all contribute to the health of our sewer system by flushing responsibly! Together, we can keep our community sparkling clean, green, and plumbing-trouble-free. Thanks for being awesome stewards of our municipality's health and happiness!

Operations Program is Utilizing Technology to Manage Infrastructure

The City has turned to Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping as a powerful tool to streamline utility maintenance across our community. The City can efficiently track, analyze, and maintain critical utility networks such as stormwater, drinking water and sewer by integrating GIS technology into infrastructure management systems. GIS mapping enables real-time visualization of the entire utility network spatially, increasing efficiency for inspection, identifying vulnerable areas, predicting potential issues, and prioritizing maintenance tasks with precision.

Through GIS mapping, the City can enhance the efficiency of routine maintenance operations and respond swiftly to emergencies. Real-time data updates and spatial analysis empower City staff to make informed decisions on the ground, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing downtime. By harnessing the power of GIS technology, the City can ensure the resilience and sustainability of utility infrastructure, ultimately improving service delivery and enhancing the quality of life for our community members and all those who spend time in Tumwater.

Ready, Set, Solarize!

Have you considered installing solar energy? Here's some good news: now through July 4, residents and businesses of Thurston, Mason, and Skagit counties can access solar at discounted rates thanks to the solar group-purchasing program called Solarize! 

Solarize is a group purchasing model used nationwide to reduce costs and simplify solar installation. Solarize programs are a great way to encourage people to install solar by lowering the installation cost, reducing complexity, and providing a limited-time offering to take advantage of. Solarize also creates safety in numbers. Typically, the decision to go solar, including the burden of research and risk, is left to individual households acting alone. Solarize adds a foundation of support to the process by bringing communities, neighbors, and cities together under the same program, thereby ensuring every project's accountability and collective success. Getting the benefits of solar is simpler and more affordable than ever.

• Reduce your environmental footprint.
• Site assessments and quotes are free.
• Get a group-purchasing discount. 
• Save money on your electric bill every month.
• Produce your own power and reduce your dependency on the utility company.
• Protect yourself from future energy rate hikes.
• Protect our natural resources.

To get involved, visit Olympia Community Solar and sign up for a public workshop or a free site assessment. Don’t think your property is right for solar? Consider participating in a community solar project! 

Sapp Road Park Restoration

On January 15, 2024, the City of Tumwater hosted a Martin Luther King (MLK) Day Restoration Event at Sapp Road Park. Thirty people of all ages joined together to embrace the spirit of unity and service to make a positive impact on our community. The day was filled with meaningful activities all focused on restoring the natural beauty of Sapp Road Park, but also to enlighten and educate.

Activities included tree-branch limbing, weed barrier removal, and a workshop on wetland and beaver habitat restoration. Volunteers were able to expand their knowledge about wetland ecosystems and the vital role beavers play in maintaining ecological balance. Grant Gilmore, Tumwater wetland and habitat biologist provided insights into wetland management, beaver management and the restoration required to foster both. As 2024 progresses monthly restoration events will become more available as the City ramps up on its restoration activities. We would love your help!

Why Participate?

• Community Unity: Strengthen the bonds of our community as we come together for a shared purpose.
• Environmental Impact: Be a steward of the environment and contribute to the restoration of precious natural space.
• Education and Awareness: Gain valuable insights into wetland ecosystems and habitat restoration, empowering you to make a lasting difference.
• Inspiration: Experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back and making a positive impact on the world around you.

Who Can Participate?

Absolutely everyone! Regardless of age or background, your enthusiasm and dedication are the only qualifications needed. Please visit the Stream Team Events web page for opportunities.

Mark Your Calendars:

March

• March 9 Second Saturday Restoration Event | Sapp Rd Park

April

• April 13 Second Saturday Restoration Event | Sapp Rd Park
• April 20 City of Tumwater Earth Day and Arbor Day Event | Historical Park
• April 22 Stream Team Earth Day – TSD Middle School Students | Sapp Rd Park
• April 26 Stream Team Arbor Day | Tree planting event, Palermo Wetland
• April 27 BIBI Training | School district promotion, Stream Team

May

• May 11 Second Saturday Restoration Event | Sapp Rd Park
• TBD First Green & Tumwater Golf Course