Smart Water Management
Ensuring reliable water for people, farms and fish
The problem:
- Climate change is bringing Oregonians more drought years and less snowpack to recharge our water systems – leaving our drinking water, food production and fish populations at risk.
- Across the state, wells and streams are already going dry at critical times of year because more water has been promised to people, agriculture and ecosystems than nature can provide.
- Fewer than 20% of water right holders (larger water permits for agricultural, industrial and municipal uses) measure and keep track of how much water they withdraw from rivers and from the ground.
The solution:
- Oregon needs to catch up to our neighbors and start accounting for how much water we have and how quickly it is being consumed.
- Sound data is the foundation of smart water management – making critical water decisions without a clear understanding of our groundwater resources and overall water spending hurts all Oregonians.
- Measurement devices help water users increase efficiencies in their business operations and self-manage their water needs.
- If we invest now, we can strengthen the State’s ability to better balance efforts to ensure water sustainability for current and future generations.
2017 Smart Water Management Plan
HB 2705: Measure our water use.
HB 2706: Ensure stable funding for critical management services.
HB 2707: Identify where and how much groundwater is available.
Download a fact sheet to learn more about the bills.
Take action:
Even as we experience one of the wettest winters in a decade, the future of Oregon’s water resources is uncertain, and NOW is the time to speak up.
- SUBMIT COMMENTS: Email committee members and tell them to prioritize smart water management this session
- SPEAK OUT: Share your water stories on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #WaterCantWait
- STAY INFORMED: Get our Action Alerts
