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Council reviews draft 2025 water management and conservation plan; staff seeks comments by Sept. 5
Summary
City staff introduced a draft update to Sandy’s Water Management and Conservation Plan required by the Oregon Water Resources Department, highlighted new curtailment provisions tied to emergencies, and asked councilors to send comments by Sept. 5 so a consultant can finalize a draft for state review.
City staff on Aug. 18 presented a draft update of Sandy’s 2025 Water Management and Conservation Plan, a document required by the Oregon Water Resources Department. AJ, a city staff presenter, said the draft replaces the city’s prior full plan from 2016 and must be submitted to the state by Nov. 30.
The draft keeps standard system descriptions (supply, storage, distribution) and emphasizes two main conservation tracks: reducing residential water use through public programs and addressing system water loss by repairing leaks and reservoirs. A significant change is a revised curtailment plan designed to respond not only to drought but also to emergency scenarios such as regional contamination or wildfire-related supply disruptions; staff cited lessons learned during the Portland-area fires.
AJ said the draft also supports council goals to explore a tiered water-rate structure. Councilors discussed the tiered-rate idea as a potential way to protect fixed-income households while charging higher-usage customers proportionately more; staff cautioned that any tiered structure still must generate sufficient total revenue to meet debt service and operations.
Councilor commentary and next steps - Councilors generally endorsed the plan’s direction. One councilor called the draft “adequate” and asked staff to proceed with public engagement. - Staff requested written comments from council and the public by Sept. 5 to determine whether a follow-up council meeting is needed; if state comments require changes, staff will return with an adoption-ready plan in early 2026 and will propose code updates so the curtailment plan and city code align.
Other items briefly noted - Staff reiterated that the city can make conservation devices available: low-flow aerators, shower heads and rain barrels are available on request; toilet tank displacement devices were discussed as a possible addition. - Tyler Wallace (staff) noted a forthcoming proposal to update the city’s low-income utility assistance program, which has not been revised since 2019.
Ending Staff will accept council and public comments through Sept. 5, revise the draft as needed for submission to the Oregon Water Resources Department by Nov. 30, and return with a state-review-informed adoption packet in early 2026.
