News Briefs: Washington Cities Face Water Cuts

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued unprecedented and extreme water curtailments across the Yakima River Basin due to the severity of this year's drought. With the exception of the Yakama Indian Nation's treaty-protected water supply, virtually every water user in the basin — including farmers, ranchers, irrigation ditches and various cities — received letters cutting off one of their main surface water sources. Although most residents are not facing cuts to their indoor household drinking water, as cities rely on other sources or special state allowances, the depth of the cuts raises concerns about future residential water security if drought