In This Issue
• We want to hear from you

• Join our Advisory Commission

• More than 10,000 natives call streambank 'home'

Did you know?
We provide a higher level of wastewater treatment than 98% of the treatment facilities nationwide.

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

We want to hear from you

Protecting our rivers and streams begins with you. Now is your chance to comment on Clean Water Services’ Stormwater Management Plan by visiting our website's Stormwater Management Plan comment section. Comments are due by March 24, 2006.

What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the runoff from impervious surfaces that contributes to surface water pollution. When it rains, the stormwater flows over streets, roofs, lawn, and parking lots and may pick up oil, sediment, bacteria, grease and chemicals. In Washington County, stormwater flows into storm drains, ditches and culverts which lead directly to neighborhood streams and the Tualatin River.

What can you do to prevent water pollution?
Clean Water Services is working hard to protect our rivers and streams. But, we need your help. Here are just a few clean water tips to help you protect local creeks and the Tualatin River.

• Keep leaves, grass clippings, dirt and litter out of storm drains, ditches, creeks, ponds and wetlands.
• Clean up after your pets. Pet waste contains bacteria and parasitic organisms that, when washed into local waterways, can contaminate streams.
• Use non-toxic alternatives to pesticides and herbicides.
• Prevent soaps from car washing to flow down the street or into catch basins.
• Use native plants because they are naturally adapted to the environment and require little water and chemicals to survive.
• Report flooding or other serious problems to Clean Water Services’ 24-hour emergency response line, (503) 681-3600.

Join our Advisory Commission

Make a difference. Clean Water Services’ Board of Directors is seeking applications from individuals to serve a three-year term on its Clean Water Advisory Commission (CWAC). There are four vacancies on the Commission: environmental representative; homebuilder/developer representative; agricultural representative; and neighborhood representative (At-Large Commission District). Applicants for these vacancies must live in Washington County or conduct business within Clean Water Services’ boundaries which include all areas within the urban growth boundary in Washington County as well as the Cities of North Plains, Banks and Gaston.

The purpose of the 15-member CWAC is to review and discuss major policy issues and programs related to the management of water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Commission applications are available for download (PDF, 50KB) or at the District’s main office at 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway, Hillsboro. Citizens interested in applying for CWAC are encouraged to contact Mark Jockers at (503) 681-4450. Applications will be accepted through April 6, 2006 or until the positions are filled.


More than 10,000 natives call streambank 'home'

On Saturday, March 4 nearly 750 volunteers planted more than 10,000 native trees, shrubs and cuttings at 12 sites throughout urban Washington County as part of the Tree for All—Community Stream Planting Challenge. Clean Water Services challenged the Cities to match its Healthy Streams Plan goal to plant one million trees in the watershed, for a total of two million trees in 20 years. Planting native trees is one of the most effective ways to improve water quality while helping to reduce runoff and providing valuable wildlife habitat. Tree for All is a partnership of Clean Water Services, the Cities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard and Tualatin, and is supported by SOLV and Friends of Trees. Clean Water Services employees and Americorps staff were at each of the 12 sites.