Beaverton, OR — August 5, 2005 —
The fish will smile after the environmental efforts of a Beaverton Scout Troop who will install storm drain makers with the bilingual message “No Dumping, Drains to River” at the Beaverton Transit Center today.
In partnership with Clean Water Services, the City of Beaverton, and TriMet, the Scouts’ goal is to educate citizens on what goes down the storm drain in Washington County enters the nearest stream or river. By labeling the drains, they hope to discourage illegal dumping of motor oil, antifreeze and garbage. In addition, they want residents to realize that when it rains, the accumulated water washes over streets, roofs, lawns, and parking lots and picks up oil, sediment, bacteria, grease and chemicals that can pollute our streams and the Tualatin River.
The storm drain marking program is part of Clean Water Services’ Surface and Stormwater Management (SWM) program that improves water quality, protects fish habitat and manages flooding by enhancing streams and floodplains, maintaining the storm system, and regulating activities that can impact the Tualatin River Watershed. Clean Water Services is the regional SWM utility for urban Washington County in partnership with the 12 Cities in its service district. Since 1990, 2,350 volunteers have participated in the storm drain marking program and have labeled over 6000 drains and hung over 22,000 informational door hangers throughout the Tualatin River Watershed.
“Protecting our neighborhood streams, wetlands, and the Tualatin River begins at home. A healthy environment and a livable community are the right and responsibility of everyone,” said Karen DeBaker, Public Information Specialist for Clean Water Services.
Clean Water Services is water resource management utility for nearly 500,000 people in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment facilities, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects, and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.