As the two aquifers beneath Pullman and Moscow continue to be depleted, local conservationists are exploring potential alternative water sources for the region.
“Our water level is declining, and we need to do something about that,” said Robin Nimmer, senior hydrogeologist at Alta Science and Engineering in Moscow, Idaho. “And we are, with the conservation and investigating these alternatives.”
Cities in the Palouse region including Pullman, Moscow, Colfax, Albion and Palouse receive water from two aquifers, said Jodi Prout, Palouse Conservation District education and outreach coordinator. The deeper aquifer, the Grande Ronde, is used by all the cities, while the shallower aquifer, the Wanapum, is mainly used by Moscow.