For Climate Solutions with John Lamy – submitted for Jacksonville Review May 2023 issue – published online-only
Medford Water is fortunate to have access to reliable, high-quality drinking water to serve our communities, which includes the cities of Medford, Jacksonville, Eagle Point, Central Point, Talent, Phoenix, and Ashland. With just the turn of the tap, we have fresh clean water in our homes and businesses. While having water readily available at the tap may make it seem like there is an abundance of water, local weather trends have caused water supplies to become more stressed over the past few years, especially supplies that serve irrigation districts. As drought occurs more frequently in Southern Oregon, it is essential for our communities to work together to find ways to use the water we have as efficiently as possible.
Fortunately, this winter and spring we have received above average snowfall in our region, which is bringing some relief to the ongoing drought in our area. Although this change is positive, and improves our water supplies, it is important for individuals and communities to continue to prioritize water conservation efforts to help reduce the effects of drought in the Rogue Valley.
With the exception of this winter and spring, the general weather trends we are experiencing throughout our region have included a decrease in high elevation snowpack and an increase in temperature, which can reduce summer streamflows and water availability. The following suggestions offer strategies for managing our water use individually to overcome the challenges this ongoing trend will cause.
One of the easiest ways to conserve water is to fix any leaks or drips in your home. Even a small leak can waste a significant amount of water over time, so it is important to address leaks as soon as they are detected. Also, make sure to check for leaks in your sprinkler system. Water use in our area can quadruple during the summer, due to watering our landscapes, so being proactive and checking your sprinkler systems for leaks, misaligned sprinklers, or runoff can help reduce excess use. Additionally, as the weather changes, adjusting sprinkler controllers to align with weather conditions can significantly reduce overwatering.
Another way to conserve water is to replace older appliances with more water-efficient models. For example, choosing a WaterSense low-flow toilet or showerhead can significantly reduce water consumption without sacrificing performance. Additionally, turning off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes can help reduce water waste and lower your utility bill.
Overall, water efficiency is a crucial aspect of responsible resource management, and there are many things that people can do to conserve water every day. By making small changes within your home and community, you can help ensure that water is used in the most efficient and sustainable way possible and protect the environment for future generations.
Cody Scoggins Lives in Medford with his wife and son. He works for Medford Water as the Water Efficiency Coordinator. He’s received his master’s degree from Denver University in Natural Resource Management and is now committed to being a good steward of our water by promoting water efficiency practices.
John Lamy lives in Jacksonville with his wife Gail. He spent 30 years with a big engineering firm in Silicon Valley, mostly as an R&D manager. He’s now a management consultant, and you’ll see him and Gail hiking the hills of Southern Oregon with Shasta, their Springer Spaniel.