Be a clean water hero: Mark your neighborhood storm drains
Many people have the misconception that storm drains carry waste to sewage 
treatment plants for cleanup.
This is not true in Washington County.
In fact, storm drains simply carry rainwater and pollutants directly to the nearest stream, river or wetland. 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.
Unfortunately, some people use the storm drains for hazardous waste disposal by pouring chemicals, pesticides, paints, antifreeze and used motor oil down the catch basins. Dumping these materials pollutes the water which kills fish, vegetation and wildlife and can even foul our drinking water supply.
We need your help
By installing bilingual storm drain markers next to storm drains with the message, “No Dumping, Drains to River” in Spanish and English, you can help our community realize that anything that is poured down the drains ends up in our streams and rivers. The storm drain marker message is a visual reminder to your neighbors that nothing should be dumped down the drains. Public awareness is the first step in protecting our valuable water resources.
Contact Clean Water Services at (503) 681-4463 or teraglie@cleanwaterservices.org to schedule your storm drain marking project. We will provide storm drain markers, glue, informational doorhangers and safety vests to anyone in the Tualatin River Watershed who would like to participate in this important public education project.
Clean water tips
- Plant northwest natives and reduce your lawn
- Use organic or slowrelease fertilizer
- Wash your vehicle at a car wash or on your lawn
- Use mulch to improve soil and help retain water
- Pick up your pet waste (put it in the trash)
- Leave your streambank natural (don’t mow to the edge)
- Keep pets out of streams
- Fix your car’s oil leaks or catch drips with a pan
- Remove English ivy and Himalayan blackberry bushes
- Volunteer with your local stream restoration group