In the City of Carlton, our water supply is fed by rainfall and snow melt from the Trask Mountains, west of Carlton. During the summer, hot and dry weather in the Willamette Valley means little or no rainfall for several months and frequently leads to drought. Carlton's water system can have difficulties maintaining an adequate water supply during a drought, and curtailment restrictions may be implemented.
The Water Conservation University webpage, which can be found here, has some fun and amazing conservation tips and videos.
Below are a few tips from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conserve water:
See the full list of water conservation tips on their website here.
Why Should We Care About Water Conservation?
Water is essential to our daily lives, and how we use it impacts our entire community. By making small, mindful choices, we can work together to protect this vital resource for ourselves, our neighbors, and future generations. Here's why it matters:
Save Water, Save Money
Conserving water means lower utility bills for you and your family. Simple changes, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or using water-efficient appliances, can lead to big savings over time.
Strengthen Our Community's Water Supply
By using water wisely, we help ensure there's enough for everyone - now and in the future. Less strain on our local water system means fewer shortages and costly repairs, keeping our community running smoothly.
Protect Nature and Wildlife
Water conservation reduces the energy needed for treatment and distribution, which helps lower pollution and maintain healthy rivers, lakes, and groundwater. This means a healthier environment for wildlife, recreation, and future generations.
Easy Steps, Big Impact
The best part? Water conservation is simple! Fixing leaks, choosing drought-friendly landscaping, and using water-efficient appliances are small actions that make a huge difference - and together, we can create lasting change.
Let's work together to be good stewards of our water. Every drop counts!
Bathroom — where over half of all water use inside a house takes place:
- Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth. Take short showers instead of tub baths. Turn off the water while soaping or shampooing. If you must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the water and fill the tub only half full.
- Bathe small children together.
- Never use your toilet as a waste basket.
Kitchen and Laundry — simple practices that save a lot of water:
- Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Wash fruits and vegetables in a basin. Use a vegetable brush.
- Do not use water to defrost frozen foods, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
- Add food wastes to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal.
- Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
Outdoor Conservation tips:
- Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best). Do not water on windy days.
- Water trees and shrubs, which have deep root systems, longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants that require smaller amounts of water more often.
- Check with the local extension service for advice on watering needs in your area. Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only – not the street or sidewalk.
- Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
- Install moisture sensors on sprinkler systems.
- Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth.
- Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage movement of water to the root zone.
- Raise your lawn mower cutting height – longer grass blades help shade each other, reduce evaporation, and inhibit weed growth.
- Minimize or eliminate fertilizing, which promotes new growth needing additional watering.
- When outdoor use of city or well water is restricted during a drought, use the water from the air conditioning condenser, dehumidifier, bath, or sink on plants or the garden. Don’t use water that contains bleach, automatic-dishwashing detergent or fabric softener.
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing off. Wash the car with water from a bucket, or consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
- Avoid purchasing recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
- Consider purchasing a new water-saving swimming pool filter.
- Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when pool is not being used.
- Do not install or use ornamental water features unless they recycle the water. Do not operate during a drought.
What is Curtailment?
Curtailment is a restriction placed on use of a resource in an attempt to conserve that resource. Curtailment restrictions are generally put into place when supply is lower than normal. Curtailment is a common practice used to conserve water on a community level.
In Carlton, the City issues different levels of water curtailment restrictions based on the water levels in Panther Creek Reservoir.
For information on the different levels of curtailment and the restrictions associated with each level, please see Water Curtailment document below.