More water drawn from Palouse aquifer in 2021

PULLMAN – The Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee reported Friday that 2.43 billion gallons of water was used by Pullman, Moscow, Washington State University and University of Idaho during 2021.

According to the committee, pumping increased 11.2% over 2020, with difference attributed to the return of college students after the previous year's coronavirus-related hiatus.

Officials said that spring 2021 was also warmer and drier than the previous year, accounting for some additional increase in pumping water out of the aquifer.

“Our 2020 number of 2.19 billion gallons was certainly skewed by COVID-r...