December 2011 Water Conservation QuarterlyLake Oswego’s efforts to reduce water
use have really paid off. When I arrived
here four years ago, this community’s
water use was different than it
is today.
Four years ago, I saw
sprinklers running in
November, few if any
rain sensors installed
on irrigation systems,
and standing water in
many yards.
Today, countless rain
sensors have been
installed and many
leaky systems have
been repaired. More
lawns are well managed without being
over watered and some even go
dormant in the hot summer months.
More and more Lake Oswegans are
taking advantage of the incentives and
rebates being offered by the City, and
these efforts have made a noticeable
difference.
In 2012, I will report to the State of
Oregon on the progress the City has
made in achieving the goals outlined in
its Conservation and Management Plan.
We are exceeding expectations in an
overwhelming majority of our
benchmarks. We are a city that is
learning to manage its resources well.
Our hard work helps our customers
avoid water curtailments and
shortages in the hot summer
months. Our conservation
efforts maintain
watershed health,
support fish and
wildlife habitats, and
help increase human
enjoyment of the
beautiful and pristine
Clackamas River.
It is important to use
our water wisely.
Thank you, Lake
Oswego residents for
doing your part.
Sometimes customers tell me that they
don’t know where to start. They want to
conserve, but don’t know the best place
to begin. Trust me when I say, “There is
no right thing. There are many right
things.” Don’t worry too much about
how much you are doing; just keep
doing. If you haven’t done anything,
start. If you have done something and it
didn’t seem to work, try something else.
Visit City Hall and pick up free accesso-
ries that will help you conserve water:
• low flow showerheads,
• low flow aerators for bathroom and
kitchen sinks, and
• dye tablets that can be dropped into
the toilet tank to alert you to leaks.
Something as simple as these additions
can make a big difference. If everyone in
Lake Oswego did that much, we would
be doing more things the right way.
From all of us in the Water Division,
enjoy the holidays, without taking a
vacation from water conservation!
Take good care,
Kevin McCaleb
503-675-3747
kmccaleb@ci.oswego.or.us
General Information: 503-635-0270
Water Conservation Information: 503-675-3747
380 A Avenue, PO Box 369
Lake Oswego, Oregon 970344
Let’s Talk Water
Free Water Saving Tools
Available at City Hall
Kevin McCaleb, Water Conservation Coordinator
www.lowaterconservation.com
December 2011December 2011December 2011
During a water audit this year, Kevin
discovered several misdirected sprinkler heads
that caused water to flow down the street,
only minutes after they were turned on.
Faucet aerators save as much as 500 gallons per
person-per billing cycle, or 3,000 gallons per year.
High efficiency shower heads save 650 gallons per
person-per billing cycle, or 3,900 gallons per year.
Water Meter Tips
Keep vehicles and trash recepticles
away from the meter box.
Don’t let leaves, shrubs, or landscaping
features block access to the meter box.
Keep the meter box free of
leaves and other debris.
Winter Water Management Tips
Remember that your sewer rates are adjusted based upon the
water used in the winter. Holidays are often our second highest
periods of water use behind summer. Be aware of this and take
some steps to prevent excessive usage and keep walkways safe:
1. Install low flow equipment especially in guest and common
bathrooms.
2. Sweep walks and drive ways. Don’t use a power washer.
3. Do not sweep your leaves into the streets or gutters. Bag
leaves up rather than sweep them into the street, and take them
to a service that can handle yard waste.
4. If there is a storm drain near your house, keep it free of debris
to prevent flooding.
5. Make sure your irrigation system is off (at the valve) and
winterized. Insulate exposed hose bibs and pipes to prevent
freeze up.
6. Drain your back flow preventer and place a piece of insulation
over it to resist freeze damage.
7. Water features can freeze up as well. Be certain yours is not
susceptible.
8. Cover pools and spas to keep out debris.
Many people in Lake Oswego have taken the
initiative to change their water use habits.
In this issue and the next, we would like
to highlight the efforts of a few water
customers who have made significant
reductions in their typical water use.
The City would like to say thanks for
your efforts…it makes a big difference.
This is a High Five and thank you to these
conservation achievers.
Commercial / Multi-family Structures
Talisman Condos
Nesim Abuaf came to me looking for help in April,
2010. He could not understand how his community
could be using water in excess of 448,000 gallons
every billing cycle. With his help we found evidence of
a leak under his building. Nesim managed to get the
support from his fellow community members to repair
the leak. Talisman condos saw a 262,000 gallon drop
in usage per billing cycle. Congratulations to
Talisman owners and High Five to Nesim.
Lake Oswego School District: (Tana Stewart, Director
of Facility Operations and Ron Bleeck
Irrigation/Landscape Staff)
The City of Lake Oswego, through the Conservation
Program, has worked with the School District
frequently over the years and has taught water
management classes to District facility engineers. The
City has facilitated installation of low flow fixtures at
elementary schools and Lake Oswego High School,
and has performed water audits for Waluga Middle
and Bryant Elementary Schools.
Tana called this year with a bold plan: “Can we turn off
water on the turf around our campuses?”
With assistance from Greg Tracy of Lake
Oswego’s Parks Department and Ron
Bleeck from the School District, we
began assessing and turning off
sprinkler zones on every school
campus, citywide. Next year, we will
have enough data to determine the
District’s water savings, and the City
will continue the partnership with
further savings in mind. High Five Tana,
Ron, and Greg.
Other big savings (since May, 2008):
1. Villas on Lake Oswego: 7,410,000 gallons saved
2. Forest Condos: 4,500,000 gallons saved
3. Portland Oregon Temple: 3,450,000 gallons saved
4. Hallinan Elementary School: 1,746,500 gallons saved
Single Family Resident Structures
These neighbors have significantly reduced their
water use since May 2008:
1. Schlatte: 856,460 gallons saved
2. Robinson: 443,500 gallons saved
3. Henson: 411,500 gallons saved
4. Beaudet: 401,500 gallons saved
5. Boyer: 380,000 gallons saved
Of the 1014 citizens and businesses that have
participated in Lake Oswego’s Conservation Program
since May, 2008, the average savings has been 25% of
their water bill. You have saved over 71,000,000
gallons, Lake Oswego! And your efforts have not gone
unnoticed.
Thank you for your stewardship of this important
resource.
2 3
Japanese Flowering Apricot
Scientific name: Scientific name: Prunus MumePrunus Mume
Family: Family: RosaceaeRosaceae
Category:Category: Trees Trees
Height: Height: 15 to 20 ft.15 to 20 ft.
Spacing: Spacing: 15-20 ft.15-20 ft.
Hardiness:Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Soil pH requirements: Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6 (acidic)5.6 to 6 (acidic)
Sun Exposure: Sun Exposure: Full SunFull Sun
Sun Bloom Color: Sun Bloom Color: Pale Pink, Red, WhitePale Pink, Red, White
Bloom Time: Bloom Time: Late winter / early springLate winter / early spring
Due to its small size and fragrant blooms, this winter bloomer works Due to its small size and fragrant blooms, this winter bloomer works
well when planted near a walkway or entrance where, despite low well when planted near a walkway or entrance where, despite low
temperatures, you can enjoy this unique tree as you come and go. Ideal temperatures, you can enjoy this unique tree as you come and go. Ideal
conditions for optimal performance are in full-sun to partial-shade and conditions for optimal performance are in full-sun to partial-shade and
in moist, but well-drained soilin moist, but well-drained soil. This plant has edible fruits and nuts, . This plant has edible fruits and nuts,
and is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.and is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
Water meter
Find a time when your family will be out of the house for about four
hours and make sure all water is turned off. Write down the
numbers on your meter before you leave and again after you return.
If the meter does not read exactly the same, you may have a leak.
Conservation High Fives!Give the Gift of Holiday Savings!
How to Check
For Leaks
State tax credits for appliances (up to $180.00 for premium-efficiency
dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators) are effective
through December 31, 2011.
Oregon House Bill 3672 was recently signed into law to provide
energy efficiency incentives, but clothes washers, refrigerators, and
dishwashers will no longer be included in the program in 2012.
The City will continue its rebates on washing machines until funds
are exhausted.
For more information, please check these helpful links:
http://kplu.org/post/oregon-appliance-tax-credits-will-soon-end
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/appliances.shtml Photo: Lynn Rogers, http://fromlynnsgarden.wrodpress.com