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In this episode of ClackCo Works, Greg Geist, director of Clackamas Water Environment Services, explains how his team turns wastewater into clean water, renewable energy, and natural fertilizer. He shares stories about major projects like the Clackamas outfall expansion and the Kali Creek wetland restoration, both designed to keep water safe and the environment healthy. Greg also talks about the value of long-term planning, stable rates, and getting the community involved through volunteer events. Listen in to discover how Clackamas County is investing in essential infrastructure and learn how you can help make a difference.
Transcript
Dylan: Welcome to ClackCo Works! Today we're joined by Greg Geist, Director of Clackamas Water Environment Services. Greg, what exactly is Clackamas Water Environment Services?
Greg: We're a special district serving about 200,000 people in the urbanized area of Clackamas County. We provide wastewater, stormwater, and surface water services. Instead of taxpayers, we have ratepayers.
Dylan: So, what is wastewater? That's the toilet stuff, right? What do you do with it?
Greg: We take what goes down your toilet, sink, shower, and from industries, and turn it into three things: clean water that goes back to the river, biogas that we burn to make electricity for about half our treatment facility, and biosolids, which are used as a natural fertilizer on agricultural fields in eastern Oregon. We call ourselves a water resource recovery facility because we recover resources, not just treat sewage.
Dylan: What do you mean by surface water?
Greg: When a developer wants to build a subdivision, we have rules to make sure water, fertilizers, and greases from urban living are treated before reaching the river.
Dylan: Why is your work important? What would happen if your services didn’t exist?
Greg: Clean water is the biggest lifesaver in human history. If wastewater pathogens got into the drinking water, it would be catastrophic—dirty rivers, sick people, and a devastated economy. Our work is vital infrastructure for the community.
Dylan: Where does your agency serve? The whole county or just certain areas?
Greg: We serve the urbanized area—West Linn, Oregon City, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, and some smaller communities like Boring and Woodland.
Dylan: There must be a lot of planning involved, right?
Greg: Yes, that's the foundation of what we do. Since 2016, we've done long-range master planning, looking 20-40 years ahead. We assess infrastructure condition, future growth, and do population studies. Then we create a capital plan and a long-range financial plan to know what to build, when, and how to pay for it. About 60% of our capital plan is maintaining existing infrastructure, and 40% is for population growth.
Dylan: Your revenue comes from ratepayers, not taxes, right?
Greg: Correct. It's based on rates, not taxes. Our planning allows us to keep rates predictable and reasonable. We also charge system development fees to developers to buy into future capacity.
Dylan: Can you give an example of a recent wastewater project?
Greg: Our Clack-A-Mole project involved building a second outfall from our treatment facility to the Willamette River. The original was built in 1986 and was nearing capacity. We used a tunnel boring machine, got over 650 name suggestions from the public, and the tunnel was about a mile long. The project took about two months to bore, cost $58 million, and will provide capacity out to 2080.
Dylan: What about a surface water project?
Greg: The Carli Creek project is a great example. We bought a 15-acre farm and re-plumbed the infrastructure for 400 acres of industrial area. Now, instead of stormwater going directly into Carli Creek and the Willamette, it goes through a constructed treatment wetland. We also restored 1,400 feet of Carli Creek, improving habitat and drinking water safety.
Dylan: How can people get involved with your agency?
Greg: The best way is through SOLVE, a volunteer organization we've partnered with for eight years. They organize trash cleanups, including a summer waterways cleanup series. People can check our website or SOLVE’s for events and sign up for email updates. We love community involvement!