In This Issue
• Source of Tualatin River found in man's backyard

• Public Works Fair at Washington Square May 20-21

• Tweet of Dweams May 20

• Funny park signs speak to animals and humans

Did you know?
Ducks eat lots of acquatic vertebrates during spring and summer. These natural foods are high in protein, which females need to produce eggs and ducklings need for growth and survival.

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

Source of Tualatin River found in man's backyard

He may be your neighbor—absent-mindedly watering his lawn,
washing recently applied chemicals into the nearest storm drain which leads to his neighborhood stream and eventually the Tualatin River. Or, is it you?

Over the next three months, check your local newspaper, cable television and billing insert for Clean Water Services' public awareness ads that feature residents' everyday activities that impact our watershed. The campaign asks you to "Do your part" and adopt clean water behaviors. The quick link to www.cleanwaterservices.org/tips is featured and provides instruction on Northwest native plants to filter pollutants, importance of cleaning up after pets, proper use of compost as a natural fertilizer and much more. Remember, together we're making a difference.

Public Works Fair at Washington Square May 20-21

Come and celebrate Public Works Week with us at our booth at Washington Square in Tigard May 20-21. We'll exemplify this year's theme Public Works: the Heart of Every Community with giveaways that help you protect your pipes and our watershed: free Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain kits, native plant posters, Tualatin River Ranger giveaways for the kids, and much more. Don't forget to take a peek inside our storm drain display. We'll see you there!

Tweet of Dweams Auction May 20

Don't miss your chance to take home an award-winning bird house, bird bath, bird feeder or other auction item. The Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve's Tweet of Dweams on May 20 at 4:00 will feature an auction with fine foods, wine and music at their Education Center. Tickets are on sale through May 12, and are limited. Call (503) 681-6206 to reserve.

Funny park signs speak to animals and humans

Next time you walk your dog or feed the ducks in your local park, you'll notice a friendly reminder that animal waste carries bacteria to our rivers and streams. The "Attention Humans, Attention Animals" sign was developed by the Partners for Clean Water to encourage residents to scoop the poop and not feed the waterfowl while enjoying their local greenspaces. A recent study funded by Clean Water Services and a DEQ grant looked at bacteria in eight stream sites in all weather conditions. The top bacteria sources found were birds and waterfowl 51%, rodents 16%, and dogs 13%.

Jan Miller, Water Resources Program Manager for Clean Water Services reiterates, "We found evidence that humans are not the dominant sources of bacteria in streams. It is human activities resulting in increased bacteria."

What does this mean for park-goers? Until dogs can take care of their own business, it's your business. Pick it up and throw it in the trash. Leave the bread and corn at home. Feeding ducks makes them lazy and dependent upon humans. Our food carries illness and their waste pollutes streams. Simply enjoy their company.