Union-Bulletin

Facts and tips on water usage and conservation are presented weekly by the city of Walla Walla, in partnership with Walla Walla Community College and the Union-Bulletin. This is the last report of the year.

Precipitation and moisture

Last September: 0.01 inches

This September so far: 0.00 inches

Soil moisture content: Normal

Chinook salmon return numbers

Fish numbers in the Walla Walla River counted at Nursery Street Bridge in Milton Freewater were: spring Chinook, 398; steelhead, 869.

Data collected by The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation Department of Natural Resources; funding provided by Bonneville Power Administration.

Water usage

This week’s average water use by all city customers: 16.49 million gallons per day. Last week’s average water use: 16.20 million gallons per day.

Water use guidelines

For the week of Sept. 8-14, precipitation was 0.00 inches and turf grass in the area used 1.46 inches of moisture, according to WSU AgWeathernet data. Home irrigators should have run spray type sprinklers four times for 14 minutes each and rotor type sprinklers four times for 55 minutes this week. Calculations are based on average precipitation rates; adjust for local conditions.

Yard care and water savings tips

Tips for getting your garden and yard ready for winter.

• Rake winter leaf mulch back onto beds if winds blow it off.
• Prune fruit trees and other woody trees and shrubs while they are dormant (December-February).
• Tune up yard equipment; sharpen mower blades.
• Plan drip irrigation or soaker hoses for beds and containers to conserve water.
• Check storage areas for unwanted chemicals, and dispose of safely at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at the Sudbury Road Landfill — free of charge.
• Plan to replace plants that have disease or pest problems.