Toilets, sinks, dishwashers, bathtubs, and laundry washers — there are plenty of ways you use water at home every day. Do you wonder what happens to that water after you send it down the drain? Eventually, Washington County’s water ends up back in the Tualatin River, but it goes through quite a process to get there.
Explore our virtual treatment process or get a firsthand look at how we clean used water from homes and businesses to nearly drinking water standards.
Public Tours
Tours at the Rock Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility in Hillsboro will feature resource recovery and energy production. Tours at the Durham Water Resource Recovery Facility in Tigard will highlight our cogeneration system that converts wastewater and food grease into clean, renewable energy. Both facility tours will provide a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the treatment process.
Tours are on foot and cover uneven surfaces, stairs, and tunnels. Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes.
- Saturday, May 18, 2 – 3:30 pm
- Wednesday, July 10, 10 – 11:30 am
- Wednesday, July 10, 5:30 – 7 pm
Register for a Rock Creek tour
- Sunday, June 2, 1 – 2:30 pm
- Wednesday, July 17, 10 – 11:30 am
- Sunday, August 11, 10 – 11:30 am
School and Community Group Tours
Submit this online form to request a tour for your group of 10 or more.
- Tour times are Tuesday – Thursday, 9:30 – 11:30 am and 1 – 3 pm.
- Tours are available at our Durham (Tigard), Rock Creek (Hillsboro), or Forest Grove facilities.
- Tours last 90 minutes.
- Group size is 10 – 30 people.
- Tours are on foot and cover uneven surfaces, stairs, and tunnels. Please dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes.
- Tours are suitable for grades 4 and up. School groups, please bring one chaperone per 10 students.
- Learn about our student education programs.