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DATA NEEDS The DRP provides a blueprint for managing a drought situation to forestall a worsening drought-related supply condition. For the DRP to be effective, it is critical to establish a channel of clear, timely, and specific information on the supply conditions early in the process. At a minimum, this information should include: • Regular updates on the level of Spada Reservoir. • Weather and precipitation forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center and Northwest River Forecast Center. • Water demand forecasts identifying normal consumption levels and projected consumption patterns based on historical data for previous drought periods. COORDINATION The City of Everett water supply system provides water to the majority of Snohomish County through contracts with wholesale water customers, or purveyors. Given this relationship, drought management actions must be implemented throughout the EWSA to be effective. Regionally consistent actions are important for a number of reasons: • A unified message and approach is easier to communicate to the public and easier for the public to understand. • Public support and cooperation is likely to be higher if drought management actions are equitable throughout the EWSA. • It is easier to forecast and manage demand if drought management actions are consistent throughout the EWSA. DRP STAGES Data from other water utilities that have faced drought situations indicates that customers prefer the opportunity to meet targeted demand reductions through voluntary actions before mandatory restrictions are put in place. As a result, the DRP provides a four-stage approach to dealing with a drought event. Each stage provides an increasingly aggressive set of actions that will be implemented as drought conditions become more severe. The four stages of the DRP include a variety of communications, internal operating adjustments, and supply and demand management strategies. These stages are characterized as follows: • Advisory Stage —The public is informed that a water shortage may occur and is encouraged to use water wisely. • Voluntary Stage —This stage relies on voluntary cooperation to meet demand- reduction goals. During this stage, the City and its purveyors will implement supply-side actions and recommend voluntary actions for their retail customers. 2