Will Thurston County have enough fresh water in its future? Only if we plan | Opinion

Here’s a question everyone in Thurston County ought to consider:

Will we have enough fresh water in our future to meet the growing needs of housing and neighborhoods, commerce and industry, education and health care, state government, fish and wildlife, agriculture, and timber production?

This question is the centerpiece of a recently completed study of Thurston County freshwater resources by the League of Women Voters of Thurston County.

The study’s most basic finding is eyebrow-raising. Projections to 2050 indicate that Thurston County’s population will increase by 44% but that water resources will not increase at all or will decline.

Our long-run future will probably include a “big squeeze” regarding water.

First, we can’t import large quantities of water from distant locations. Second, we cannot acquire new water rights from the state because all potential water rights in the county already have been legally allocated. Third, desalination – turning seawater into fresh water – is too expensive.

Our reality is plain and simple: Thurston County is totally reliant on water from local precipitation — mostly rain.

The League’s study identified two principal challenges that are evolving to affect our water future.

The first is that seasonal rainfall patterns are being altered by climate change. Scientists predict warmer, wetter winters, characterized by more frequent, intense rainfall events, and longer drier summers.

The second is continued rapid population and economic growth.

Altered seasonal rainfall patterns are already evident. These evolving changes are likely to lead to declines in both surface water and groundwater levels.

How might this come about? A percentage of total annual rainfall seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater. It moves slowly through the soils — in the prairies, often through rivers, lakes, and streams — on its way toward lower elevations, ultimately draining into saltwater.

Evolving seasonal changes in precipitation are expected to reduce the total annual percentage of rainfall that becomes groundwater because soils would be unable to quickly absorb the heavy winter rains that will become more common. This would lead to lower annual groundwater levels, and increases in storm water runoff from increased unabsorbed rainwater.

Lower levels of groundwater would generate significant local challenges, including:

• a reduction in the amount of water available to pump out of the ground for cities, towns, and neighborhoods and commercial and industrial activities;

• a reduction in the quantity of groundwater seeping into streams for healthy fish and wildlife habitat;

• drier soils in agricultural areas;

• drier soils in timber production areas, which would lead to transformational impacts in forests; and

• increased risks of saltwater intrusion into wells near Puget Sound.

Increases in quantity and intensity of storm water runoff could result in damage to streams and streamside properties and lead to more frequent flooding.

How might we adapt to these likely changes to promote a future beneficial to all?

The study contains a compilation of measures to consider. They include the following:

• Establish a new regional intergovernmental approach to monitor projected water supply and demand and to plan ahead.

• Increase water conservation and efficiency.

• Increase water storage capacity.

• Increase water reuse.

• Find ways to slow the flow of storm water.

• Protect surface water and groundwater from pollution, such as runoff from freeways.

• Transfer water now used for low priority needs to uses of higher priority.

• Engage in purchases and transfers of water rights.

• Drill deeper wells.

• Reduce landscape watering.

• Enact land use policies and practices that support healthy fish-bearing rivers, streams, and lakes.

• Assure active planning in all county watersheds.

There are already many local successes from pursuing some of these strategies. This is a basis for optimism. However, much more is urgently needed.

The League of Women Voters of Thurston County summons all to engage.

As Yogi Berra once observed: “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

Karen Fraser is a member of the League of Women Voters of Thurston County’s Water Study Committee. She is a former state legislator, Thurston County Commissioner, and Lacey Mayor and City Council member.

This story was originally published January 14, 2024 at 5:00 AM.