From: Jennifer Cline
Sent: Wed Jun 24 13:28:14 2015
To: Dan Huff
Subject: Water Conservation info for review
Importance: Normal
Here’s what I plan to send to Daniel today. Let me know what you think…
Hi Daniel,
The City of Molalla over the next few months will be working on an education program regarding Water Conservation. As you may know the Molalla River levels have been at record low flows this year. The City currently draws surface water from the Molalla River and monitors the flows on a daily basis. On June 23, 2015 the Canby USGS monitoring station recorded a record low of 99 cubic feet per second (cfs). The last recorded low for that date was 106 cfs in 1940. We are seeing Molalla River levels in June where we would expect them to be at in late July and August. In addition, the City is seeing water consumption rates rise. As consumption increases, so does the amount of water the City must treated on a daily basis, leading to increased operational costs as well as energy and treatment expenditures.
The additional water consumption is typical for the summer season from increased outside use such as; lawn and garden irrigation, car washing and recreational use. We see the most consumption over the weekends, which is expected since most people are home. Today we are on track for supplying 44.4 million gallons of potable water this month alone. This is about 168.2 gallons per person, per day. With implementation of a water conservation education program in the City, we are hopeful to see a 10-15% reduction in use. Everyone is capable of making a difference in water conservation. Here are some ways homeowners and businesses can reduce their water consumption along with the monthly water bill:
OUTDOORS
- * Adjust your sprinklers so that they’re watering your lawn and garden, and NOT the street or sidewalk.
- * Water early in the morning (before 10a.m) or later in the evening (after 6 p.m.) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.
- * Set it, but don’t forget it! Whether you have a manual or automatic system, be sure to adjust your watering schedules throughout the irrigation season.
- * Water established lawns about 1 inch per week (a bit more during hot, dry weather).
- * Inspect your overall irrigation system for leaks, broken lines or blockage in the lines. A well maintained system will save you money, water, and time.
- * Consider replacing some turf area with low water use plants and ornamental grasses. They are easier to maintain than turf, look beautiful, and require far less water.
- * Group plants with like watering needs. Creating “watering zones” in your garden will allow you to give each plant the water it requires — not too much or too little.
- * Add a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose and save about 5-7 gallons each minute your hose is on.
- * Adjust your mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
- * Apply the amount of water your soil can absorb. Water thoroughly, but infrequently. If run off or puddling occurs, break longer watering sessions into several short sessions allowing water to soak into the soil between each session.
- * Utilize a local carwash for washing vehicles. Commercial carwashes recycle and reuse the wash water.
- * Sweep or blow-off your driveway instead of washing with a garden hose or pressure washer.
INDOORS
- * Let your dishwasher do the work. The average dishwasher uses about 10 gallons or less per load. Many kitchen faucets use the same amount of water by running for just four minutes. So, let your dishwasher do the work!
- * Thawing food? Use the microwave, a bowl of water, or place it in fridge overnight instead of running the tap. You'll save about two gallons of water for each minute the faucet does not run.
- * Know where and how to turn off your home’s water supply in case of emergencies. If a pipe bursts anywhere in the.
- * Want ice-cold h2o with your summer meal? Chill a pitcher ahead of time rather than letting your faucet run until the water is cool. You will save more than two gallons of water for each minute the faucet does not run.
- * Wash only full loads. The dishwasher use about the same amount of energy and water regardless of the number of dishes inside, so run full loads whenever possible.
- * Replace older toilets with a WaterSense labeled high efficiency toilet. Older toilets can use up to 4 times more water per flush.
- * Regularly check for & repair water leaks. Even small leaks can waste hundreds to thousands of gallons of water a month. Many water leaks can be fixed by a do-it-yourself plumber, and repair parts are relatively inexpensive to purchase ($5-20).
- * Take shorter showers. Each minute you shave off your shower time saves up to 2.5 gallons of water.
- * Install an aerator on your bathroom or kitchen faucet and save about 1 gallon per minute. An aerator reduces the flow from the faucet, and uses air to maintain good water pressure.
- * Select an Energy Star-approved clothes washer next time you purchase a new washer. They use 15-20 less gallons of water per load, and you will see savings on your energy costs too.
What steps is the City taking to conserve water? Irrigation sprinkler run times in the parks will be adjusted to meet the minimum watering need of 1” per week. The hours at the Fox Park Splash Pad will be reduced to 11 AM to 7 PM, a reduction of 2 hours a day. The hours could be reduced or the splash pad closed if levels continue to decrease.
Jennifer Cline, P.E.
City of Molalla
Public Works Director
117 N Molalla Ave.
PO Box 248 *
Molalla, OR 97038
O: 503.759.0218
F: 503.829.3676
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