Palouse aquifer water usage down

Changes, both positive and negative, are continuing in water use and conservation as 2018 water reports were presented at the 16th annual Palouse Basin Water Summit Oct. 10 in Pullman.

The Palouse groundwater basin provides the sole drinking water supply for more than 60,000 residents in Whitman and Latah counties.

For 2018, the total combined groundwater pumped, according to reporting pumping entities within the basin, was 2.37 billion gallons.

"This last year, 2018, is the second lowest year in combined groundwater pumping since 1992," said Korey Woodley, Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee exec...