OREGON CITY, Ore. — The Clackamas River provides drinking water to more than 360,000 people in Clackamas and Washington counties, and the treatment plants that treat the river's water make every drop count because the river has no capacity to store excess water.
“Everything that comes from the river goes through,” said Christine Hollenbeck, president of the Clackamas Water Utilities Corporation.
The group is part of a larger coalition called the Regional Water Providers Coalition, which consists of 25 water suppliers in Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington counties.
Hollenbeck's job is to educate the public about water conservation.
“Most people are completely unaware of their water usage,” she says, “so being conscious of how and how much water you're using is really, really important.”
The first step is simple: As summer draws to a close, adjust your watering habits to coincide with the growth cycle of your lawn and outdoor plants.
Hollenbeck explains why: “The plants are all starting to go dormant and their peak growing season is over.”
Next, be sure to check your sprinkler and irrigation systems for leaks, and don't forget your garden hose.
“If you have a leak, even a small leak, you could be wasting hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a month,” Hollenbeck explains.
Several tools provided by the Environmental Protection Agency can help you control how much water you use, including soil moisture monitors and specially designed toilet, shower head and faucet aeration devices. A complete list of items can be found here.
While these items may seem pricey, shopping eco-friendly may actually put money back in your wallet.
“Many public water providers in the metro area are offering discounts on toilets,” Hollenbeck said. “Some are even offering showerheads and aerators for free to customers.”
Another resource is the Weekly Watering Number on the Regional Water Providers Consortium website, here .
Hollenbeck explains how it works: “It tells you every week how much water has left the soil and how many inches you need to put back, so you can water more accurately and efficiently.”
It's also important to conserve water for emergencies, and Hollenbeck offers some advice on how much water you need:
“Have a gallon of water per person per day for 14 days or two weeks,” she says. “That's the bare minimum.”
She says to store emergency water in a cool, dark place, like under your bed or in a closet, but remember to change the water every six months.
Instead of pouring old water down the drain, you can use it to water your lawn and plants.
By taking a few simple steps, you can help conserve water for the environment, your community and yourself.