In This Issue
• Tree for All

• Freeze the grease, save the drain!

• Free Naturescaping class

• Annual Report—read all about it

• Clean Water Services wins awards

• Meet the Andersons

Did you know?
Only 22 percent of Americans know that rain runoff from lawns, roads, parking lots and farm fields are the leading causes of water pollution today. Nearly half mistakenly think industry is the worst polluter.

Who we are
Clean Water Services is a wastewater and stormwater utility committed to protecting water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed.

Tree for All: Community stream planting challenge

Cities throughout the watershed are getting dirty for a good cause as they join forces with hundreds of volunteers to plant thousands of trees and shrubs along local creeks and wetlands for the Tree for All: Community Stream Planting Challenge on Saturday, March 4 from 9 am to 1 pm.  

"I'm very excited about this project," commented Forest Grove Mayor Richard Kidd. "Tree for All will contribute immensely to improving water quality, protecting wildlife habitat and adding to the livability of Forest Grove."

Tree for All's ambitious goal is to restore stream corridors, improve water quality, and enhance fish and wildlife by planting 2 million trees in the next 20 years in the Tualatin River Watershed as part of the Healthy Streams Plan.

Last year, volunteers and Healthy Streams Plan partners planted over 85,000 trees. Tree for All is a partnership of the Cities within the Tualatin River Watershed, Clean Water Services, SOLV, Friends of Trees and helpful volunteers.

SOLV is coordinating volunteers. To find the site nearest you, contact Monica Kearsley at 503-844-9571 x317 or monica@solv.org, or go to http://www.solv.org.

Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain!

Gravy, cooking oil, shortening, and sauces, oh my! The battle of the bulge isn't just at our waistline; it's in our sewers causing clogs and messy overflows. To combat the fatty enzymes, the Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain! homeowner kit is here.

Prevent backups in your home by pouring all bacon, fried chicken and other cooking grease into a can, putting it in the freezer, then tossing it in the trash.

Call 503-681-3678 and you'll receive your FREE Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain! kit in Spanish and English that includes a pan scraper, a plastic lid that fits metal cans and easy-to-follow-instructions. Your pipes will thank you for it!

Free Naturescaping class

Learn the steps to go native in your yard and attract beneficial wildlife. You'll get a free plant to boot! The Naturescaping class is scheduled for Saturday, March 4 from 9 am—1 pm at the Rood Bridge Park River House in Hillsboro. Call (503) 797-1842 for your free registration.

Annual report—read all about it

Clean Water Services' 2004-2005 Annual Report is available online. Read about the past year’s achievements, awards and innovations including:

35 years of excellence: Clean Water Services has protected public health and the environment in the Tualatin River Watershed for 35 years.

Healthy Streams Plan adopted: Four years of collaboration with key stakeholders will improve water quality, manage water quantity, and support aquatic species.

Congressional funding for Water Supply Project: Oregon Senators and Congressmen secured $250,000 for the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project.

Cool water: Innovative programs under the new water quality trading provisions will cool the Tualatin River and save $150 million.

If you would like a printed copy, contact Karen DeBaker at (503) 681-3643 or email debakerk@cleanwaterservices.org.

Clean Water Services wins awards

ABC Wins Gold: Clean Water Services’ Administration Building Complex is LEED-Gold certified, the first public building in Washington County to earn this designation for sustainable design and construction by the U.S. Green Building Council. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)

Treatment Facilities Sweep Top National Honors: All four Clean Water Services’ wastewater treatment facilities received top awards for full permit compliance from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Gold Peak Performance Awards were presented to Rock Creek, Durham, Hillsboro and Forest Grove wastewater treatment facilities in May.

Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility Wins EPA Award: Clean Water Services’ won top honors from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Durham Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility located in Tigard. The award is the 2005 National Clean Water Act Recognition Award in the Operations and Maintenance category for large facilities with advanced treatment.

The facility cleans more than 20 million gallons of wastewater every day from eastern Washington County residents and businesses.

Meet the Andersons our clean water heroes

Karen and Bill Anderson’s backyard is minutes from busy 185th in Beaverton, but it feels more like a remote wooded area, abundant with native plants and wildlife. This landscape didn't come overnight though, “When we moved in 31 years ago, this lot was bare, not one tree,” said Bill Anderson.

Originally the Andersons planted natives to create habitat for wildlife but soon discovered other benefits. “The natives make great homes for birds and squirrels, but they also help us save on our water bill,” said Bill. Karen added, “We never have to use any fertilizer either.”

The Anderson’s yard includes; Big Leaf Vine Maple, Oregon iris, Serviceberry, Snowberry, Sumac, Trillium, Wax cedar and several types of fern, many were purchased at Tualatin Nature Park and Audubon Society plant sales.

The Anderson’s are planting tufted hair grass in the ditch by their house to cut down the pollutants that reach near-by Beaverton Creek. They don’t plan to stop there either. “Next we’re building a green house to grow our own native plants and a barrel to harvest rainwater for outdoor use,” said Karen.