Water Conservation

The Neahkahnie Water District (NWD) is the state of Oregon-chartered, non-profit special district that provides water to all residences in this community. 

We are proud of the quality of our natural spring-fed water supply – four springs, surrounded by a heavily forested watershed on Neahkahnie Mountain, feed a network of tanks, pumps, transmission pipes, and distribution pipes to bring water to your home.

However, importantly, our water supply springs are tightly bound to the natural rhythm of this area – winters and spring (November thru June) are very rainy such that we’re considered a temperate rainforest yet the summer and fall (July thru October) are very dry, such that we’re very much akin to a Mediterranean climate.

In particular, the summer thru fall, Mediterranean-like climate poses challenges for the NWD as well as residential gardeners. 

The NWD is challenged by the highest customer demand for water in the spring and summer months when the population of Neahkahnie can increase four-fold   the supply of water from its mountain springs can decrease ten-fold.  Residential customers are similarly challenged to correctly garden with plants suited to a dry, hot Mediterranean climate without extensive and expensive irrigation.

You are part of resolving this challenge between high water demand versus lower water supply:

-First, homeowners should consider and plan for landscape plants adapted to water-wise gardening (i.e. plant selection and water thrifty irrigation systems and methods e.g. drip systems).  The NWD believes that residential gardens/plantings appear to be the single largest use of water in the community during the dry summer and fall months.

-Second, the NWD rate structure is aimed at promoting water conservation when water supply is at its lowest, yet water demand is at its highest.  A tiered rate system of increasing rates for increased usage intentionally signals the importance of careful water use.  High water use equals high water use bills.

Most customers manage to have modest water use bills thru careful garden planning and monitoring for inadvertent leaks.  Regretfully some customers unintentionally generate high water use bills thru planting water-thirsty plants and lawns. 

 

 

 

Fire is a real risk in our community due to heavy foliage and drought conditions - we must keep a sufficient reserve in place so firefighters have every opportunity to control an outbreak. You may be aware that the fire tragedy in Maui was worsened by inadequate water supply.

 

The best tool for water conservation is awareness - small efficiencies can add up! Some easy and meaningful methods of water conservation include:

• Eliminate use of overhead sprinklers.
• Allow lawns to go dormant.
• Postpone car/driveway/deck washing.
• Turn off fountains and water features.
• Run appliances only with full loads.
• Check for drips and leaks.
• If needing to water outside, water at night when the usage is less.

The A-frame signs will be used again this year for consevation alerts, and you can always check here for the latest updates.

Our water resource is our true Neahkahnie Treasure - let's all help conserve it.