LOC News
New State Toolkit Helps Promote Water Conservation
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) have released their 2026 Water Conservation Communications Toolkit to help local governments and community partners communicate with residents about water conservation during Oregon's ongoing drought conditions. The free toolkit includes customizable outreach materials that cities can adapt for local use, including key messages, sample news releases, social media content, frequently asked questions, and practical water saving tips.
The toolkit is designed to promote consistent statewide messaging while giving communities the flexibility to tailor communications to local conditions. It encourages simple, low-cost actions residents can take to reduce water use, such as checking for leaks, watering landscapes during cooler parts of the day, adjusting irrigation based on weather conditions, and installing water efficient fixtures.
Cities looking for ready-to-use conservation messaging are encouraged to explore the toolkit and incorporate its materials into local outreach efforts throughout the summer. The toolkit is available to the public and may be adapted to meet community needs while supporting consistent messaging across Oregon.
Contact: Michael Martin, Lobbyist – mmartin@orcities.org
Last Updated 7/24/2026