The water treatment plant has the capacity to treat 1.9 million gallons a day (MGD). This is not an issue for most of the year, throughout the spring, fall, and winter the usage falls around 600,000 gallons a day. So throughout most of the year, we are able to produce more water than we're using. This allows us to fill our reservoirs for the backup.

In the summer we see a sharp increase in water usage. It more than doubles at times, we're using a million gallons more a day in the summer than we are in the winter.

When the water usage is more than 1.4 million gallons a day this means that the water plant is running upwards of 20 hours a day. This also doesn't allow us to refill our reservoirs. If the reservoirs are not full and a part breaks, there is not enough capacity to serve the entire city for more than a day.

We also need the reservoirs full to keep enough water flow for the firefighting. As we head into the summer, this is one of our highest concerns.

The city made minor upgrades to the water plant this spring which increased the capacity and redundancy. This included increased pipe sizing and updated a smaller pump with a larger pump. These costs won't require additional funding.

The city completed an additional water reservoir for storage capacity.

The city has started work on upgrading our water treatment plant. This project will be complete by the late spring of 2027. This will increase our production capacity to 2.6 MGD (million gallons a day).

We are working with Clackamas County to use their Public Alerts system to notify customers. This will use the information you have listed in your utility account. Please update this if you number or email is not current.

You will receive an email, automated phone message, and/or text message depending on what information you have in your account.

You can also verify your information in ClackCo Public Alerts. https://www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts 

By entering your information in the ClackCo Public Alerts, you would also receive alerts for other emergencies such as wildfire evacuation.

1. Adjust your sprinklers so that they’re watering your lawn and garden, and not the street or sidewalk. 
2. Water early in the morning (before 10:00) or later in the evening (after 6:00) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.
3. 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 or install an EPA WaterSense Certified Smart Controller and receive up to a $100 rebate from the Clackamas River Water Providers (CRWP).
4. Water established lawns about 1 inch per week (a bit more during hot, dry weather).
5. Inspect your irrigation system for leaks, broken lines, or blockage in the lines. A well-maintained system will save you money, water, and time. 
6. Consider replacing some turf area with hard scapes or low water use plants and ornamental grasses. They are easier to maintain than turf, look beautiful, and require far less water.
7. 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.
8. Add a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose and save about 5-7 gallons each minute your hose is on. Ask the CRWP for your free hose nozzle.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Go to the Clackamas River Water Provider's website for more information on how to conserve your water and find valuable rebates.

The actions which the city will take to conserve water:

The city will stop watering parks and won't wash their vehicles.

City Irrigation Sprinklers: Public property irrigation will be reduced/paused at Stage 1 of the Water Curtailment Plan.

The City had a Landscape Water Audit done and has since adjusted timing, upgraded to lower flow sprinklers, and added sensors to account for rain to our irrigation systems

At stage 2, we may reduce hours or completely shut down the splash pad.

Under Oregon law (ORS 197.520), cities may only enact a construction moratorium under specific and limited circumstances. To issue a moratorium based on public facility capacity—such as water—the City must demonstrate the following:

• The demand for the public facility (in this case, water) will exceed its available capacity.

• The moratorium is narrowly applied only to the geographic area affected by the shortage.

• The City has accommodated housing and economic development needs as much as possible.

Even if those criteria are met, a moratorium must be reviewed and justified every 120 days, with evidence that the City is actively working to resolve the underlying issue. For water, that includes implementing and enforcing water curtailment and conservation efforts.

In our case, water usage during winter months remains well within system capacity. This seasonal variation makes it difficult—if not impossible—to demonstrate a consistent or system-wide capacity shortfall. As a result, the City does not meet the threshold required to enact a construction moratorium.

Instead, the City is committed to being a responsible steward of our water resources through proactive conservation measures and seasonal curtailment policies when necessary. These steps allow us to manage water demand without halting needed housing or economic development.

The first level of conservation is triggered by the water plant either producing 1.4 million gallons of water a day or 80% of the production capacity each day for three consecutive days.

The first level of conservation asks residents to:

• reduce water usage by 10%
• not water during daylight hours (water after dusk or before dawn)
• don't water your lawns more than twice a week
• don't wash your vehicles or fill pools/water features
• if an HOA fines a resident for not watering their lawns, then the city will fine the HOA

The second level of conservation is triggered when the water demand is 90% of the production capacity or the water plant is producing 1.5 million gallons a day for at least three days.

The actions for this level are:

• We need everyone to cut their water use by 20%.
• Watering lawns and landscaping is not allowed.
• No washing vehicles.
• Avoid using water for non-essential purposes.
• Construction and non-emergency fire water use is not permitted.

When demand exceeds supply or water storage falls below 1,000,000 gallons.

The actions for this level are:

• All outdoor water use is prohibited.
• We need a 30% reduction in water use from all customers.
  – If you’re found watering outside, Public Works will shut off your irrigation system and issue a warning. Continued non-compliance will result in service disconnection.
• Public Works will spot-check water meters for compliance.

When demand exceeds supply or water storage falls below 750,000 gallons.

This is an emergency level and the actions will be required.

1. **Essential Water Use:** Only essential water use is allowed.
2. **Water Allocations:** The City Manager may set water allocations. Use no more water than you would on a typical December day.
3. **Meter Readings:** Water meters will be read bi-weekly to ensure compliance.
– **Service Disconnection:** Non-compliance will result in service disconnection until Stage 4 ends. A reconnect fee will apply.