Walla Walla turns to its wells
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 26th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – One or more of Walla Walla’s seven groundwater wells will soon be used to supplement the drinking water supply for the city’s utility customers. Walla Walla’s primary source of drinking water comes from the 36-square-mile Mill Creek watershed. The secondary source comes from a network of seven 800 to 1,400 feet deep wells.
“Drought conditions have caused below normal stream flows in Mill Creek,” Public Works Communications Coordinator Shane Prudente stated in a news release. “Typically, 80 to 90 percent of our drinking water is treated surface water from the Mill Creek watershed. The combination of high customer water demand, lack of rainfall, low streamflow, and the requirements to provide a minimum stream level at Kooskooskie for fish and wildlife has created the need for the well water.”
Prudente explained that turning on the wells might mean some customers will notice slight changes in the taste and temperature of their water. The available streamflow and customers demand will determine how many wells will be used.
“The city will start with one well and then add additional wells as required,” Prudente said.
Each well is tested before use to ensure that it continues to meet all state and federal drinking water standards.
“Using wells increases the costs of providing water,” Prudente said. “The city strongly encourages customers to do their part to conserve water during this period of drought.”
