It’s hard to imagine a day without water: from the time we wake up to the time we fall asleep, water plays a key role in almost every aspect of our daily routine. But on October 21, we’re celebrating Imagine a Day Without Water by inviting you to learn more about where your water comes from and what it takes to make sure your drinking water is safe and there when you need it.

Over the last 18 months, we have faced multiple crises and emergencies with the pandemic, wildfires, drought, ice storm, and even a chlorine supply shortage. Throughout these emergencies, our water treatment plant operators and public works professionals have kept clean drinking water flowing to homes, hospitals, fire hydrants, schools, and businesses.

These crises demonstrate the critical role that water and wastewater systems play in our daily lives, protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, fighting fires, making a healthy economy possible, and supporting our quality of life.

Water and wastewater utilities are often called the “invisible utility” because customers see can’t the pipes and other infrastructure that brings water to their tap, or what takes it away: it’s so easy to take it for granted. In fact, many people never think about what goes into providing safe, reliable water and wastewater service to their home or business unless there’s a problem. Fortunately, the Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership works hard to ensure our customers have safe, reliable water 24 hours a day, every day. This requires constant care and management of a complex network of water infrastructure and extensive planning to address population growth, new and changing regulations, seismic hazards, climate change, and more.

October 21 is the seventh annual Imagine a Day Without Water, an opportunity to reflect on the value of water and its central role in everything we do. Join us in taking some extra time to think about how you value our region’s water today, and every day.