Water Conservation Plan

Overview

Dear Dallas Residents,

Limited water supply and increasing cost of new water supply is why the Dallas Water Conservation Plan has been continued. If each and every Dallas resident does his and her share to make this voluntary community effort a success, our City's water supply will not suffer and we will not be forced to comply with more stringent, mandatory water reductions.

Through voluntary water conservation measures we can help ensure that Dallas' water supply will last. We must all examine our use of water and ensure we are using water wisely. This can be accomplished if everyone follows the helpful hints for water use described in this brochure.

For now, Dallas residents are encouraged to consider voluntary conservation measures so we can preserve the community water supply for the future. There are four basic ways to save water:

• Become Water Conscious. Look for ways to use less whenever possible. Since outdoor watering and irrigation accounts for a 50% increase in summer water consumption compared to winter usage, look at ways to reduce garden and landscape watering.
• Detect and Repair Leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water a day. Fix it and you will save almost 6,000 gallons a year. Use the water meter to find hidden leaks in your water system. First, turn off all faucets in and around the home and check the meter. Second, wait 15 minutes and then check the meter again. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.
• Install Water-Saving Devices. Low flow shower heads, toilet tank displacement devices, and low flow aerators on faucets can save 10,000 to 25,000 gallons of water for a family of four and pay for their cost in less than a year.
• Reuse Water. Recycle used water. It is often suitable for watering plants.

Stretching our water supply and wisely managing our water resources makes good sense for the short term and the long term. The City has completed the installation of flash boards, which have raised the level of the reservoir and provided an additional 70 million gallons of raw water. This improvement should provide an adequate supply for the next five to seven years if we use the water wisely. In addition, the City is studying additional raw water storage options with a goal to implement plans starting in 2022. 

Dallas water consumption will continue to be monitored and in the event that drought occurs, which impacts Dallas' water supply, the City is prepared to introduce and enforce other water-saving measures. However, by watching the ways you use water, you can voluntarily decrease water consumption, save money on your water utility bill, save energy, and save the environment. Remember that water conservation is not just for emergencies. Water, like all other resources, is limited. The efficient use of water is needed to ensure its future availability. Well-managed water resources is a community priority.

If you have questions, please contact your Dallas Water Department at 503.623.2338 during regular business hours. Conserve water, its the wise thing to do. Your efforts will make a difference.

More Information and Resources:

Click here for more information and updates on the Mercer Reservoir. 

Click here for more information on how to conserve water.