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Water Conservation

Water Conservation

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On this page:

Why it's important
Tips for around your home
Tips for your farm

More about clean water:

Streamside Plantings
Rainwater Management
Return to Clean and Abundant Water Priority
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Stream Monitoring

Why water conservation is important:

Water is a cup of coffee; it’s a piece of paper; it’s the cells in your body – it is truly precious.

Wells, springs, marshes, lakes, rivers, snow, and rain make up a single, essential resource that is woven into every aspect of our lives.

  • Fun fact:

    About 70% of our planet is covered with water, but less than 1% of it is useful to humans [1].

  • Not-so-fun fact:

    Water is a renewable resourceRenewable Resource A natural resource that can be naturally replaced and replenished if managed properly. that can be used indefinitely as it is recycled through a system over and over again – but human actions are degrading it over time.

Water conservation is more important than ever, due to increasing strain from growing populations.

A changing climate adds additional pressure as it impacts weather patterns that control the amount of water going underground and into our rivers. Some places experience severe drought, while others are saturated by deadly floods.

  • Fun fact:

    The Tualatin River supplies drinking water to over 350,000 people [2].

The Tualatin River also supplies water for agriculture, and critical habitat for fish and wildlife.

  • Fun fact:

    Unlike other nearby rivers that are fed by snowmelt, the Tualatin River is sourced from rainwater.

River flow is highest in the wet winter and spring months and is lowest during the hot summer season, when we need it most for agriculture and keeping cool. Using water wisely is important year-round, but is especially important when river flow is low and demand is high.

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Tips for conserving water around your home:

  • Use rainwater

    Create a rain garden or install a rain barrel to collect rainwater.

    Watch How to Build a Rain Garden
  • Use native plants

    Landscape with native and drought-tolerant plants that can thrive without extra watering.

    Native Plants
  • Retain water

    Improve soil water retention by adding compost or peat moss to your garden bed.

  • Cover your soil

    Cover garden beds with thick layers of mulch to slow evaporation and cool roots.

  • Broom clean

    Use a broom to sweep off driveways and patios instead of hosing them down.

  • Reduce daily use

    Install water-efficient shower heads, toilets, and appliances to reduce daily water use.

  • Maximize absorption

    Aerate your lawn annually to increase its ability to absorb water and nutrients.

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Tips for conserving water on your farm:

  • Irrigation efficiency

    Choose high-efficiency irrigation equipment such as drip irrigation.

  • Curb your evaporation

    Run sprinklers in the early morning or evening to curb evaporation.

  • Use sensors

    Install moisture sensors to monitor soil saturation and only irrigate when needed.

  • Crop choice

    Grow drought-tolerant crops.

  • Use conservation methods

    Employ cover crops, no-till farming, and other methods to bolster soil structure and its ability to hold water.

    Soil Health

Resources:

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  • Interested in observing Tualatin River flow rate over time? The U.S. Geological Survey monitors river flow year-round.

  • The Regional Water Providers Consortium provides multiple online tools for measuring your water use and finding simple ways to use water more efficiently.

  • Area planners are preparing to meet the water needs of a larger and busier Washington County. Projects to improve the resilience of Scoggins Dam and construction of additional water treatment plants are underway.

  • Oregon’s Water Resources Department hosts information regarding water rights, well testing, dam construction, and funding opportunities.

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More About Water Conservation:

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Ash,Oregon04_MartHughes

When Oregon Ash Goes Missing: What the Arrival of EAB Means for the Tualatin River Watershed

October 24, 2022
UnderwaterStreamEcosystem

Fin-tastic Fish in the Tualatin River Watershed

October 21, 2022

Source:
1. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

2. https://www.regionalh2o.org/our-regions-water/water-sources

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Tualatin Soil and Water
Conservation District
7175 NE Evergreen Pkwy #400
Hillsboro, OR. 97124

Phone: 503-334-2288
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
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