Your health and safety are our top priority

As a customer of the Crystal Springs Water District, you enjoy some of the best water in the world. We regularly test your water and abide by the highest standards of water quality, enforced by the Oregon Health Authority- Drinking Water Services.

Water Testing

• We conduct chlorine residual monitoring on a daily basis.
• On a monthly basis, we test water quality at 12 locations throughout the system, including a source sample.
• Every five years, we are required to test for lead and copper in 20 locations.
• CSWD has been rated as an Outstanding Performer by the Oregon Health Authority, most recently in 2021.
• Annual Consumer Confidence Report (Water Quality Report)- As required by State law, Crystal Springs Water District prepares an annual report on its water quality, listing any potential contaminants that might have been detected during preceding test periods. The frequency of testing varies from daily to every five years depending on the substance.

Water Safety

• Keep your water safe with backflow prevention. Backflow is water flowing in the opposite of its intended direction. Backflow is especially concerning when potable (drinking) water is connected directly to non-potable (non-drinking) water. This potentially dangerous yet common connection is called a Cross Connection. A cross-connection is a point in a plumbing system where it is possible for a non-potable substance to come into contact with the potable drinking water supply. Most cross connections occur on the customers side of the water meter, within residential, commercial, or industrial plumbing systems. Although customers are responsible for preventing contaminants from entering the public water system through their individual plumbing systems, Crystal Springs Water District aggressively pursues a cross connection control program to protect its customers from foreign substances in the water system. Please eliminate all Cross Connection risks by installing, maintaining, and testing approved backflow assemblies. Feel free to contact the District with help in this matter. Click here for more details on how to protect your drinking water. 
• Prevent frozen/broken pipes. You can save yourself the hassle and cost of emergency repairs by taking a few simple steps to reduce the risk of burst pipes before freezing weather sets in. Crystal Springs Water District recommends the following… Drain or blow out all exterior plumbing systems that will not be in use. Remove hoses from outside faucets and install an insulated cover. Insulate and/or install heat tape on water lines exposed to the cold. Click here for more tips.
• Beware of Thermal Expansion. Most homes are supplied with hot water from an electrical or natural gas heated tank. If not properly maintained, a water heater may become a safety hazard. Click here for more details.

Water Emergencies

• Boil Water Order (Q&A). When a Boil Water Order is issued by the District, boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that could be present in the water. Please bring all water to a boil, let it continue to boil for one minute, and then let it cool before using. The use of bottled water is often times an easier option until the Order is suspended. Click here for more tips from the Oregon Health Authority
• Hood River County Citizen Alert System. Your safety is our top concern and early warning helps save lives and property. Hood River County wants to make sure you know about emergencies as they happen. Get alerted about emergencies and other important activities by signing up for Hood River County’s Emergency Alert System. This system enables emergency services to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods, and Boil Water Orders. You will receive time-sensitive messages for whichever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. To sign up, click here to go to the Hood River County Citizen Alert System webpage.