Water Environment Services

• WES Service Area Map

Development and Permitting

• Source Control and Industrial Pretreatment
• Development Services
• Erosion Control
• Annexation Information

Rules and Regulations

• WES Rules and Regulations

Fee Schedule

• Rates, Charges, and Fees

Sanitary Sewer

• Wastewater Services
• Biosolids Management

Surface Water

• Annual Private Property Stormwater System Inspection and Reporting
• Storm Drain Cleaning Assistance Program (SCAP)
• Surface Water Management
• Watershed Health and Action Planning

We all use the buildings, streets, parking lots and sidewalks that contribute to water pollution. Our Surface Water Management Program protects water quality with programs to prevent, minimize, and reduce pollution in our rivers, streams and wetlands caused by urban stormwater runoff.

Annual Private Property Stormwater System Inspection and Reporting
 MS4 Permits | TMDL Documents

Stormwater runoff is the most significant source of water pollution in our state. It washes pollutants into storm drains and drainage ditches, carrying silt, oil, chemicals, trash and pesticides to the nearest creek, stream or wetland. The polluted runoff can harm fish, aquatic life, and threaten our drinking water.

Through watershed protection and planning, WES is taking a long-term approach to protecting the health of our water resources.

What does the Surface Water Management Program do?

Our focus is on improving overall watershed health, focused on four main components:

Capital Improvement Planning: Storm System Master Plan

The Storm System Master Plan (SSMP) provides a flexible framework for storm system infrastructure operations, maintenance, and expansion to improve the quality of surface water. The Known Issues Atlas maps the locations of identified stormwater system issues, such as water quality, flooding, erosion, and maintenance problems.

Storm System Master Plan and current projects

Annual Private Property Stormwater System Inspection and Cleaning

Private stormwater systems collect, treat and convey stormwater from private property to local waterways or groundwater. Most often these are connected to the public system in the street. These private structures may include storm drains, underground tanks, vaults, manholes, oil/water separators, detention/water quality ponds and swales, etc. The stormwater system in the public street is not the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.

Why clean your storm system?

Per Section 4.5.2 of the Rules and Regulations, properties with private stormwater collection and treatment devices must annually inspect, maintain, clean (as needed) and report on this activity to WES. As the property owner, you are responsible for maintaining and cleaning your storm drains to keep the dirt, debris and pollution from roofs, parking lots and vehicles from entering the public stormwater system.

Keeping your business's drains clean may also lower your risk of property damage caused by flooding. Standing water may also seep into asphalt cracks causing a premature failure of the pavement.

Before December 31st of each year, please send WES an annual report on inspection and any maintenance or cleaning performed on your system. Use the online reporting tool or mail your annual stormwater system report information to: Water Environment Services, 150 Beavercreek Road # 430, Oregon City, OR, 97045.

Use our online reporting tool

Storm Drain Cleaning Assistance Program (SCAP)

Keeping private property storm drains clean helps reduce flooding and protects the health of our rivers and streams. The Storm Drain Cleaning Assistance Program (SCAP) is offered by WES as part of a multi-agency effort to make it easier for property owners to easily and inexpensively maintain their system.

This service will provide a basic cleaning and does not include additional maintenance or repair work. The vendor is licensed, bonded and insured for providing the cleaning services. WES will not be liable for or provide any guarantee or warranty for the work performed by the vendor. While you are under no obligation to use this vendor, to receive the discount you must sign up to participate.

The vendor performing the storm drain cleaning may note deficiencies within your storm drain system and provide a quote for repair. You may elect to have the work done by the vendor, or obtain additional quotes for cost comparisons.

For questions about participating or assistance regarding the maintenance of private drainage systems, contact wes-stormdrains@clackamas.us

Sign up for SCAP online

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality mandates actions intended to improve municipal stormwater quality through its MS4 permit program. 

MS4 Permits

• MS4 Permit
• 2024 MS4 Stormwater Management Plan Document

MS4 Permit Annual Reports
DEQ requires WES to submit an annual report describing what activities were completed to comply with our MS4 permit. 

• 2023–2024 Annual Report
• 2022–2023 Annual Report
• 2021–2022 Annual Report
• 2020–2021 Annual Report
• 2019–2020 Annual Report
• 2018–2019 Annual Report

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Documents

A TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a waterbody so that the waterbody will meet water quality standards for that particular pollutant. A TMDL specifies the amount of pollutant reduction needed from all sources of the pollutant so that the water body will achieve compliance with water quality standards.

The Non-Point Source TMDL Implementation Plan details the actions which will be taken to achieve the necessary pollutant reductions.

• 2023-24 TMDL Annual Report
• Implementation Plan for the Tualatin, Willamette, Molalla, Pudding, and Sandy River Watersheds
• Willamette River Report
• Tualatin River Report

Monitoring

We conduct a long-term monitoring program to evaluate stream health in our surface water management district. The geomorphic monitoring program began in 2009, and the macroinvertebrate monitoring in 2002.

Geomorphic monitoring reveals the impacts from hydromodification, the change in stream habitat caused by urban runoff. Macroinvertebrate monitoring indicates the impacts on stream biology (aquatic insects). This information helps WES to prioritize its management efforts.

Macroinvertebrate/Geomorphic survey results

• 2022 monitoring report
• Monitoring in Kellogg-Mt Scott Watersheds
• An Overview of Geomorphic and Macroinvertebrate Monitoring from 2017

US Geological Survey monitoring
In 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study of insecticides in streams within urban Clackamas County. You can read about the study by clicking below.

• USGS study of insecticide levels in urban streams

This list of vendors is for public information and it is not an endorsement by Water Environment Services.

Material Suppliers

	Bio-filter Bags	Bone Bag	Catch Basin Inserts	Dirt Bags for Dewatering	Econo-Jute	Geo-Jute Plus	Plastic Sheeting	Sediment Fence	Straw Wattles
ACF WEST 8951 SE 76TH Dr. Portland, OR 97206 503-771-5115 800-878-5115 Contact: Mark
Bark Blowers PO Box 512 Beaverton, OR 97075 503-248-2275 *Bark for ground cover
Contech/Oregon Culvert 710 SW Armco Ave. Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-640-2783
Coral Sales Co. 10560 S. Mollalla Ave. Clackamas, OR 97015 503-655-6351 *Gabion Rock & Baskets
C.S.I. 3500 SE Columbia Bldg 44-100 Vancouver, WA 800-426-7976 Contact: Kevin
Damascus Farm & Garden 20401 SE Hwy 212 Boring, OR 503-658-4429 *Straw
Grand Rental Station  2207 Baseline Street Cornelius, OR 97113 503-992-7368
Home Depot 1950 SE Minter Bridge Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-693-9090
Lost Creek Farms 21950 SW Koehler Rd. Hillsboro, OR 97007 503-628-1755 Contact: Denny *Straw
Lumberman's Building  15877 SE 98th Clackamas, OR 97015 503-657-8686
Morse Brothers Concrete 3150 SE TV Hwy Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-648-3100 Contact: Andrea
Parr Lumber 2351 SW Borland Rd. West Lynn, OR 97068 503-638-7575
Oregon Culvert Co.  10780 SW Tual./Sher. Rd. Tualatin, OR 97062 503-692-0410 Contact: Paul
Rexius 17550 SW 63rd Lake Oswego, OR 97035 503-635-5865 *EcoBlanket, EcoBerm, Terraseeding
TVBS 15700 Boones Ferry Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 503-636-8401
United Rentals 4705 SE Witch Hazel Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-640-1235
United Rentals  14020 SW 72nd. Ave Tigard, OR 503-620-1235

Native Plant and Seed Sources

Aurora Nursery
22821 Boones Ferry Rd
Aurora, OR
Phone 503-678-7903
Tim 503-519-7875
sales@auroranursery.com

Balance Restoration Nursery
27995 Chambers Mill Road
Lorane, OR 97451
Phone/Fax 503-942-5530

Bosky Dell Native Plants
23311 SW Bosky Dell Ln.
West Linn, OR
Phone 503-638-5945
Fax 503-638-8047

Emerald Seed & Supply
9330 NE Halsey
Portland, OR
Arman 503-254-8414
*SEED ONLY

Hobbs & Hopkins
3033 NE Alberta
Portland, OR
Phone 503-239-7518

Mahonia Vineyards & Nursery
4985 Battlecreek Rd.
Salem, OR
Phone 503-585-8789
Fax 503-363-2358
wildwoodco@aol.com

Mt. Jefferson Farms
Salem, OR
Phone 503-363-0467 Fax
503-362-5248
mjfarms@teleport.com

Northwest Native Plants
23501 S Beatie Rd.
Oregon City, OR
Phone 503-632-7079
Fax 503-632-7087

Samuel J Rich Nursery
9803 Yergen Road
Aurora, OR
Bob 503-678-2828

Scholls Valley Native Nursery
Tigard, Oregon
Phone 503-624-1766
Len 503-327-4974
Sara 503-522-5733
Fax 503-624-2766
schollsvalley@aol.com

West Coast Natives
2214 SW Scholls Sherwood RD
Sherwood, OR
Phone 503-628-1667
Ryan 503-793-1886
Fax 503-628-3818

Willowell Nursery
8160 Landau St
Tigard, OR
Roy 503-768-5976

We've transitioned our stormwater management program from a regulatory-driven approach to stormwater management. Our focus is on improving overall watershed health. This integrated approach is focused on four main components:

• Hydrology
  Managing stormwater runoff in a manner that minimizes flooding and stream channel degradation
• Water Quality
  Reducing in-stream contaminants
• Habitat
  Promoting the function and/or restoration of functioning and healthy streams and riparian areas
• Biological
  Maintaining viable aquatic insect and diverse fish and wildlife populations

RiverHealth Stewardship Program

The RiverHealth Stewardship Program offers grants to support community groups, businesses, and property owners who want to improve the health of watersheds within the surface water areas served by Water Environment Services. See the Grant application and guide for forms and program details, including eligibility and project ideas. For questions, contact Gail Shaloum at 503-742-4597 or gshaloum@clackamas.us. 

RiverHealth Watershed Stewardship Program grant accomplishments 2021-22

In FY 2021-22, RiverHealth grantees who undertook restoration work accomplished the following:

• Removed 53.7 acres of invasive species
• Planted 1,395 native trees, 11,619 shrubs, and 1,850 herbaceous plants
• Enhanced a total of 8,851 linear feet of streams over 41.6 acres
• Involved 602 volunteers

In FY 2021-22, RiverHealth grantees who undertook watershed health educational projects accomplished the following:

• Gave 59 different lessons, field trips, or other educational sessions
• Provided watershed health education to 866 students and 678 adults
• Conducted 20 public events

The grant application process is open February through mid-April annually.

• Grant guide
  • Application and Budget form 
    Contact Gail Shaloum at GShaloum@clackamas.us for an XLS version of this document. 
• 2023 grant recipients

Outreach and education

• Watershed Health Education Program
• Parting with Pesticides Pledge Program for the Clackamas Watershed
• Spring 2018 Got Weeds? Get help from CRISP
• The River Starts Here
• Regional Coalition for Clean Rivers and Streams
• Garden Chemical Awareness flier
• Love Your Lawn without Pesticides Factsheet
• Moss on Roofs: Pesticide-Free Control
• Weed and Pesticide Information and Tips

Monitoring

We conduct a long-term monitoring program to evaluate stream health in its surface water areas. The comprehensive monitoring program began in 2009, although we've sampled macroinvertebrates since 2002.

Geomorphic monitoring reveals the impacts associated with hydromodification, or the change in stream habitat caused by urban runoff. Macroinvertebrate monitoring indicates the impacts on ecological systems. This information is useful for the prioritization of stream restoration projects and watershed management efforts.

Macroinvertebrate/Geomorphic survey results

• Geomorphic and Benthic Macroinverterbrate Monitoring: Stream Health in Surface Water Areas Served by WES – 8/2022

US Geological Survey monitoring

• USGS study of insecticide levels in urban streams

A source of clean water

The Clackamas River supplies high quality drinking water for over 300,000 people in Clackamas and Washington Counties.

Businesses in the Clackamas industrial area along Highway 212/224 are just upstream from four drinking water treatment plants.*

As a business, implementing stormwater best management practices and spill prevention measures are critical to protecting our drinking water supply.

Clackamas County continues to grow, and so does the demand for high quality water. Conserving and protecting the Clackamas River will play a key role in making the best use of this precious resource.

A Drinking Water Protection Area is defined by DEQ as the watershed (land around rivers, lakes, and streams) or recharge area that supplies a well or drinking water intake. Activities in this area have the ability to impact downstream municipal water users.

* Plants operated by Clackamas River Water Provider members include Clackamas River Water, North Clackamas County Water Commission, South Fork Water Board, and Lake Oswego/Tigard.

Spills can quickly enter the river

Many storm drains are connected directly to the Clackamas River. When chemicals spill on a property or street, they travel to the river quickly. Only rain water should go down the storm drains.

Containment pallets, spill kits, and double walled tanks will help your business prepare for, and prevent, spills.

Simple steps to prevent pollution

• Prepare your site. Identify and label hazardous materials. Properly dispose of unneeded chemicals, equipment, and waste. Place spill kits where liquids are stored or transferred, and train your staff in spill response. Develop a spill response plan.
• Contain hazardous liquids. Consider adding secondary containment to reduce the risk of spills. Common equipment includes: spill pallets, double walled tanks, and containment berms.
• Cover your waste. Scrap metal, used tires, garbage cans and dumpsters can be sources of stormwater pollution. Cover or move these materials inside.
• Report hazardous spills or discharges of wastewater into a storm sewer system by calling 9-1-1 (hazard/emergency), and ask the dispatcher to notify Water Environment Services (WES).

For other spill or pollution related questions contact WES at 503-742-4567.

Free tools and assistance

Businesses located within the Drinking Water Protection Area may be eligible to receive free or discounted spill prevention and response equipment, and free technical assistance. For more information, read the brochure, check out a recent article published in Happy Valley Monthly, read about all of the rebates and discounts for spill prevention, or contact:

• Stormwater Construction Projects
• 82nd Drive Pedestrian Bridge Project
• Capital Improvement Projects
• Carli Creek Water Quality Project
• Hoodland Master Planning
• Kellogg Water Resource Recovery Facility Project
• North Clackamas Revitalization Area
• Tri-City Solids Handling Project
• Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan