In the tiny town of Conconully, Washington, an emergency water shortage has left dozens of households without a reliable water supply. The town announced the crisis on its Facebook page, noting that as many as 20 wells have run dry amid a worsening drought that has pushed Okanogan County into the extreme drought category.
Families forced to rely on jugs and uncertain sources
“We’re still without water. No firm answers, no concrete plan,” said Ashley Tapia, who lost water access for her family of six last Friday. The Tapias, like many of the town’s 200 residents, now depend on water jugs for drinking and hygiene. While Conconully does have a public faucet, it is locked outside of business hours, leaving families with few options.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, described the impact: “I have to go all day every day trying to find water. About three to four weeks ago we just didn’t have any water. We have nine people on our property.”
Mayor offers a spring, but safety is unclear
Mayor Sam Martin told NonStop Local that an open spring called Cottonwood, located within a recent burn scar, is an alternative water source. “I know a lot of people drink it, but I can’t recommend it,” Martin said, adding that he does not know whether the water is safe. He has previously posted about Cottonwood on his personal Facebook account, suggesting it as a temporary solution.
When asked about seeking assistance from the Red Cross, Martin said the town believes there are enough alternative sources for residents to fill jugs and therefore is not pursuing Red Cross aid.
Long‑term fixes face cost and time hurdles
Mayor Martin indicated that drilling new, deeper wells could provide a more permanent fix, but the process is both expensive and slow. Residents estimate a new well could cost around $15,000. “What if you can’t? What if you don’t have that money? What if you can’t take out a personal loan within the next two weeks because they are going to stop drilling soon because of the weather?” asked Ashley Tapia.
The town’s waitlist for new wells is long, and the harsh weather conditions typical of an extreme drought year further complicate drilling efforts.
State officials and agencies to be consulted
State Representative Hunter Abell has a town hall scheduled in Okanogan County on Tuesday, November 11, where residents plan to raise the water access issue. NonStop Local has reached out to the Washington Department of Ecology and the Department of Health for comment on how water tables are monitored and what warning systems might be put in place.
NOAA data shows that 2026 marks the third consecutive year of a drought emergency in Okanogan County and the second driest year on record since 1894. The agency recently upgraded Spokane and Okanogan counties to the extreme drought category, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Community resilience amid hardship
Despite the challenges, Conconully residents are banding together, sharing water where possible and supporting one another through the crisis. Local faith groups and community volunteers have begun organizing water‑distribution points, emphasizing the town’s strong family and faith‑based values.
As the town works to secure both immediate relief and a sustainable water future, officials stress the importance of responsible water use and the need for state and federal support to address the broader drought affecting the Inland Northwest.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
