From Public Works Supervisor

From Public Works Supervisor

The weather is great and Public Works is keeping very busy. We have summer events in the park, the bridge project getting underway, improvements at the Lagoons, final steps before the Hwy 221 lift station replacement project can go out for bids, the 7th and 9th Street overlay project, and much more.

Staff have been developing the City’s TMDL Implementation Plan (Total Maximum Daily Load) for Mercury, here is a short background: Dayton is required by DEQ to develop and implement programs to keep local streams clean. Sediment is commonly washed into the storm drain system as the result of building or construction activities. Toxic materials such as mercury bond to soil particles and are carried into local streams. Mercury is then ingested by fish which can make eating too many fish hazardous to human health. More can be found on the City’s website at

https://www.daytonoregon.gov/page/ public_works_TMDL.

During the summer months water conservation is always the most critical. Here are a few tips to save water and money:

-Water early in the morning (before 10:00) or later in the evening (after 6:00) when temperatures are cooler, and evaporation is minimized.

-Set it, but don’t forget it! Whether you have a manual or automatic system, be sure to adjust your watering schedules throughout the irrigation season.

-Group plants with like watering needs. Creating “watering zones” in your garden will allow you to give each plant the water it requires not too much or too little.

-Adjust your mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.

If you have any questions, please call, or email me.

jbilodeau@daytonoregon.gov 503-864-2221