Missoula, Please Limit Water Use: Where It’s Needed Most and How to Conserve

Missoula is recovering from the effects of the severe thunderstorm that occurred Wednesday night, July 24.

As of this morning, Friday, July 26, many in the area are still without power. In related storm coverage from Dennis Bragg, "Northwestern Energy estimates as many as 20,000 of its customers remained without power" as of Thursday night.

On a lighter note, my cohost and I joked about our "Power Outage" fashion, as we both came to the office today wearing baseball caps and by chance, baseball t-shirts. Neither one of use have power in the neighborhoods where we live and we're both heeding warnings from the city to conserve water.

This morning, we received an update from Allison Franz, Communications Manager with Missoula County, with more information about the water conservation efforts in Missoula.

Residents and businesses need to conserve water, particularly in the South Hills and Lewis and Clark areas. Missoula Water is still running on generators, and only 50% of water tanks are currently online. Residents should not water their lawns, and limit domestic use. This includes limiting use of washing machines and dishwashers and showers/baths.

Specific activities that Missoula residents can and should try to limit right now: according to the release:

• watering your lawn or other plants
• using a washing machine
• using a dishwasher
• taking showers and baths

Of course, other activities to be avoided:

• running through sprinklers, slip and slides etc.
• washing your vehicle
• outdoor fountains

RELATED STORIES

• Missoula County: What You Need to Know After the Severe Thunderstorm 
• Where to Dispose of Storm Tree Debris in Missoula 
• Missoula Police Requests Essential Travel Only 
• 200+ Lightning Strikes Reported Near Missoula Following Storm 
• The Aftermath From Last Night’s Wild Storm in Missoula [Photos]