Water Conservation Questions

No. In Stage One, the City of Dallas is asking our water customers to voluntarily conserve water. We encourage you to reduce the amount of irrigation you provide to outdoor lawns, gardens, trees and other plants.

There are many resources available online with useful tips on how to reduce your water consumption. We encourage you to focus on your irrigation systems. The OSU Extension Office has great materials and tips on how to do that. Please go to their website: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/water/watersheds

The water we drink comes from the natural environment. Diverted water is stored in a reservoir. The quantity stored depends on the rainfall and climate. This variation, which occurs over days, months, or years, can contribute to short-term water supply shortages. It is important to remember that a long-term limit exists as well.

Dallas' public water supply is provided by the Dallas City government. Water is treated to meet the Safe Drinking Water Act quality standards. Treated water then flows through the distribution system pipes to homes and workplaces throughout the city.

Oregonians have assumed there will always be an abundance of clean, inexpensive water. However, times are changing. Due to increased demands of a growing population, industry and agriculture, it is important to conserve water daily, not just during the hot summer months.

In Dallas, the reservoir has ample water to meet short-term demands but if drought conditions return and if water use is higher than normal, our city, like many of its neighbors, could also face a water shortage. A statewide drought condition could present a dual problem. On the one hand, the reservoir will be replenished more slowly than normal and on the other hand, since it is unusually dry, residents could use more water than is usually consumed during the summer. Wise use of water and the adoption of water saving measures should see the City of Dallas through even a lengthy drought.

Utilizing water saving measures has additional positive results. It saves money on water and sewer utility bills. It saves energy by reducing the amount of hot water used and by saving electricity used to pump water. Also, it saves the environment by helping ease the demand on water storage, purification, distribution, and treatment.

Water conservation involves everyone, from the individuals at home and at work, to water suppliers, and local, state, and federal governments. We are asking you to join with your neighbors and businesses to make water conservation a priority in Dallas.