In the midst of a statewide drought, Kirkland and the Puget Sound region have sufficient water for normal activities through planning, strategic investment and a commitment to serve its residents. But it’s a critical time to remember to use water wisely while also understanding the need of water and how each individual values it.

The city of Kirkland and Cascade Water Alliance (Cascade) invites residents to a unique interactive display with the following prompt: “We need water because….”  The blackboard-like display will debut at Kirkland’s Juanita Beach Park at 3 p.m. on July 31. As part of the debut, Cascade will have a water efficiency booth where residents may create their own home water conservation kit including water-saving showerheads, faucet aerators, toilet leak detection dye, shower timers, and more.

Seattle Tilth will host a kid-friendly interactive watershed model to learn everyday ways to support clean water in Lake Washington.  A free kid’s craft activity of making rain sticks will be hosted by the city of Kirkland. These activities will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Park which is located at 9703 NE Juanita Drive. Those interested in sharing their thoughts online can post them at weneedwaterbecause.org and #weneedwaterbecause.

“Kirkland is extremely blessed as a waterfront community and our drinking water quality is exceptional,” said Kirkland Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet and Cascade Board Member. “This awareness campaign and community conversation is important and should resonate loudly with our community.”

Sweet and City Council Member Doreen Marchione, alternate Cascade Board member will be at the kick-off event.

As a member of Cascade, Kirkland purchases its water from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). The water is then distributed to Kirkland residents through Kirkland’s water distribution system. SPU performs most of the sampling and treatment for Kirkland’s drinking water. The Kirkland Water Division operates and maintains the system’s water distribution lines, pump stations and storage reservoirs.

The city of Kirkland has more than 12,000 connections serving families and businesses within almost 10 square miles. The City is served by more than 170 miles of pipe, three pump stations, two reservoirs and almost 1,900 fire hydrants.

“Our goal in this interactive display is to start our community talking about this important resource,” said Cascade CEO Chuck Clarke. “Cascade is proud of its outstanding delivery of high-quality, good-tasting water to its residents and we are proud to help foster this discussion.  We look forward to hearing from those who get our water to tell us why it’s important to them.”

Cascade provides safe, clean, reliable drinking water to more than 350,000 residents and 20,000 businesses throughout Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, Tukwila, Sammamish Plateau and Skyway.  Collectively, its members have 275,000 connections, 1,600 miles of pipe, 60 pump stations, 25 wells, 11 treatment facilities and 25,000 fire hydrants – all always on and always at residents’ service.

For more information on the display, visit http://weneedwaterbecause.org/ or #weneedwaterbecause.