A Message from Clackamas Water Environment Services Director Greg Geist |
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Dear Valued Customer,
I hope you are enjoying the summer and have a chance to spend time outdoors at some of the many beautiful rivers and natural areas in our region.
At WES, it’s our goal to ensure that families, neighbors and visitors enjoy the benefits of safe, clean water. WES helps reduce pollution in our rivers, streams and wetlands caused by stormwater runoff, Oregon's number one source of water pollution.
One of the ways we do this is through WES' Summer Waterway Cleanups Series with our partner SOLVE. Each summer, WES, SOLVE and hundreds of volunteers are removing thousands of pounds of trash and debris from natural areas before it can be carried into local waterways.
This summer and beyond, WES is also once again partnering with community groups and volunteers who are dedicated to protecting and improving the health of our watersheds. In this newsletter, you will learn about the recipients of grants from our RIverHealth Stewardship Program and the projects they are working on to improve watershed health, which benefits us all. The RiverHealth Stewardship Program is funded by surface water revenue.
At WES, it's important to us that our customers know how the monthly bills you pay are used to strengthen WES' ability to serve you every day of the year, as well as for planning to serve you well into the future.
I'm also proud to announce that WES has been honored with a 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the Civic Education and Public Information category. In 2020, during the pandemic, WES developed innovative communication methods to educate Oregon City residents about the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility Outfall Project, which required voter approval since the pipeline will run under Jon Storm Park.
This vital infrastructure project, which you can read about below, was approved by voters in Oregon City in November 2020 and will help WES serve customers in Oregon City and all cities and communities in our service area.
Thank you for reading this newsletter. It is our privilege and pleasure to serve you.
On behalf of WES, I wish you a very happy and safe summer.
Sincerely,
Greg Geist, WES Director
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Rate Adjustments Effective July 1, 2023 |
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WES always focuses on providing the best sewer and/or surface water management services to nearly 200,000 Clackamas County residents. The fiscal year 2023-24 budget and accompanying rate adjustments are built around a long-term financial strategy that ensures WES can continue to protect public health and the environment effectively, provide the infrastructure necessary to support economic development and deliver services in the most cost-effective manner for ratepayers.
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Building for the Future: The Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility Wet Weather Outfall |
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Every day, WES cleans more than 10 million gallons of wastewater at its Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility in Oregon City. The treated water, called “effluent,” is then returned to the Willamette River. An outfall is the discharge point where the treated water flows into the river. As flows to the facility increase, more capacity is needed.
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WES Receives $620,000 Metro Grant for the 3-Creeks Natural Area Floodplain Enhancement Project |
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The 3-Creeks Project will protect and improve water quality and fish & wildlife habitat by restoring more than 5,000 feet of Mt. Scott Creek in the 89-acre WES-owned natural area near Clackamas Community College’s Harmony Campus. It will also support climate resiliency by providing increased flood storage and by decreasing the frequency of downstream flooding. Additionally, it will increase visitors’ experiences of nature as WES formalizes the use of the site for environmental education in a more natural environment.
The Metro funding will be used to expand WES’ stream and floodplain restoration efforts on the 3-Creeks property.
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WES Awards $300,000 in RiverHealth Stewardship Grants to Protect our Watersheds |
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WES is awarding $300,000 in grants through our RiverHealth Stewardship Program to 12 organizations dedicated to protecting and improving the health of local watersheds.
The grants will support a variety of activities that restore habitat, manage invasive plant species, organize community volunteer events, provide watershed science education, and remove trash from waterways while enhancing water quality.
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Rules and Standards Update |
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WES has updated its Rules & Regulations (Rules) and Technical Standards (Standards). WES’s Rules are established to promote the health, safety, prosperity, security, orderly and uniform administration of the district affairs, and general welfare of the inhabitants using the district’s sanitary and stormwater systems.
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Meet Jessica Rinner, Supervising Civil Engineer at WES. Learn more about what Jessica and WES do to keep the environment clean. |
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Lawn Care Tips to Protect the Environment |
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While pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can help control pesky weeds and insects, they can also cause other problems. All pesticides have some level of toxicity that can be harmful to honey bees, earthworms, aquatic bugs, fish and people.
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Are You Managing Your Sanitary Sewer and Surface Water Account Online? |
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The WES online account management system gives you access to your account 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Register for access online to enjoy these features:
- View real-time balances, payment amounts and bill due dates.
- Make one-time or recurring payments.
- Review transaction history.
- Sign up for paperless e-billing to get your bills and our messages emailed to you!
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Interested in Joining the Team? |
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WES produces clean water and protects water quality for nearly 200,000 people living and working in Clackamas County.
Each year, WES cleans more than seven billion gallons of wastewater. In the process, we convert materials that have long been considered “waste” into natural energy and fertilizer. We also help reduce pollution in local rivers, streams, and wetlands caused by stormwater runoff, the number one source of water pollution in Oregon.
We educate and assist community members from all walks of life. It’s our job to ensure that our families and neighbors enjoy the benefits of safe, healthy water for generations to come.
WES is a county department, a service district and a ratepayer-funded organization.
We currently have openings for:
- Policy Performance and Research Analyst
- Wastewater Plant Operator
- Wastewater Plant Operations Supervisor
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The WES Office is Open for Business! |
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Our office at 150 Beavercreek Road in Oregon City is open to serve you from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday in person, or 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday by phone.
If you are experiencing flooding or a problem with your sanitary sewer that needs immediate attention during regular business hours, please call 503-742-4567. Outside of regular business hours, please call 503-655-8211.
150 Beavercreek Road Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone:
503-742-4567
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Follow Clackamas County and Clackamas Water Environment Services on Social Media! |
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