A Message from Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) Director Greg Geist |
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Dear Valued Customer,
This month marks the 52nd celebration of Earth Day, which raises awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship and defines what Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is all about.
WES is passionate about educating customers and community members from all walks of life to protect water quality and what we can all do together to protect our shared environment.
Newsletters like this and other WES messages help us meet our educational goals and develop fruitful partnerships. WES proudly partners with other agencies, county departments, cities, and community-based groups to educate and empower homeowners, businesses, and neighbors.
This includes partnerships within our RiverHealth Stewardship Program, the Children's Clean Water Festival, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and our "No Poop Fairy" campaign, all of which you can read about in this newsletter.
You can learn more about our partnerships with SOLVE, Energy Trust of Oregon, the Home Builders Association, and many others by reading the WES Annual Report.
WES is also partnering with cities to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) in sewer pipes owned by the cities in the WES service area. I&I is rainwater or groundwater that flows into aging or cracked sanitary sewer pipes. The extra water can cause expensive damages to our wastewater treatment facilities. Reducing I&I can save more than $100 million over the next 20 years, which benefits WES and our customers.
The bottom line is that working together to protect our environment makes us stronger and benefits us all. Individually, we are but one water drop. Together, we are an ocean.
On behalf of your friends at WES, I wish you all a happy and healthy start to spring. It is our pleasure and privilege to serve you.
Sincerely,
Greg Geist
WES Director
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Apply for a RiverHealth Stewardship Program Grant |
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The application period for the 2022-23 RiverHealth Stewardship Program Grants is now open. Grants of up to $30,000 are available to groups that seek to improve the health of watersheds located within the surface water areas served by WES.
Community groups, businesses, schools, nonprofits, student groups, faith organizations, neighborhood or business associations, and service groups are welcome to apply.
The application deadline is April 21, 2022.
The objective of the program is to improve watershed health by:
- Enhancing streamside vegetation by replacing invasive species with natives and/or increasing stream buffer width
- Reducing pollutants and volume of runoff from paved surfaces
- Using low impact development approaches (LIDA) to manage stormwater
- Educating those who work and live in the surface water districts served by WES on what they can do to improve water quality
- Providing opportunities for historically underserved and excluded communities to benefit from watershed health education and partner opportunities
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The Virtual Children's Clean Water Festival |
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Explore water! Learn more about the water cycle, watersheds, stormwater, drinking water, water conservation, and wastewater by watching videos, doing activities, and hearing from folks working in the water sector right here in Oregon!
The virtual lessons support 4th grade science standards, but they are educational and fun for everyone!
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April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day |
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Your friends at WES want to remind you that flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet and disposing of them improperly in other ways can be dangerous for our communities, wildlife and shared environment.
Thanks to a partnership between the county's Health Centers and Public Health divisions, the Beavercreek Health Center and Hilltop Behavioral Health Center have prescription drug boxes available year-round for anyone to drop off their unused or expired prescription drugs.
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Lawn Care Tips to Help Protect Our Water |
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While pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can help control pesky weeds and insects, they can also cause other problems.
WES wants to remind you that all pesticides have some level of toxicity that can be harmful to honey bees, earthworms, aquatic bugs, fish and people.
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There is No Poop Fairy
Please Clean Up After Your Pets!
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If you have a pet, you're responsible for picking up what they leave behind. WES and Clackamas County Dog Services have teamed up to help protect waterways by reminding folks to pick up after their pets because there is no poop fairy with yard signs.
If you'd like to help remind your neighbors to pick up after their pets too, you can stop by the Dog Services Office to pick up a sign to display in your lawn.
Supplies are limited and they're going fast!
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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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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, and a WES representative will contact you promptly. Outside of regular business hours, please call 503-655-8211.
Sanitary sewer service and surface water management.
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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