Clean Water News & Stories

Clean Water Services Budget Committee Moves Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Forward with Requests for Further Review

CWS Board of Directors will next hold a public hearing and consider adoption on June 17 as part of a multi-phase budget process 

Washington County, Oregon—The Clean Water Services (CWS) Budget Committee voted on May 23 to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget and recommend it for adoption by the CWS Board of Directors. This action represents the second step in a multi-phase public review process, which began at the Budget Committee’s initial meeting on May 9, 2025.

The CWS Budget Committee — composed of the five-member CWS Board of Directors and five community representatives — emphasized the importance of further discussion on two key areas:

  • The scope and timing of the proposed 4% rate adjustment.
  • Development of a CWS low-income assistance program to better support customers experiencing financial hardship.

“It’s been a great opportunity for me this second time to sit on this committee,” said Terry Song, CWS Budget Committee Chair and community representative. “Everyone at this table is a ratepayer and we take it very seriously.”

The CWS Board of Directors will review the proposed 4% increase in sanitary sewer rates and surface water management rates, effective July 1, 2025, at a June 3 Board work session. The Board will consider adopting the approved budget and proposed rates at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 17.

Any person may attend the meetings. Public comment is welcome at the June 17 hearing. The meetings will be livestreamed from the CWS YouTube channel and the Washington County YouTube channel. The meetings will also be available virtually on Zoom. Anyone wishing to provide public testimony via Zoom by phone or online must register using the form link at https://forms.co.washington.or.us/form/public-testimony-sign-up.

Find more information at cleanwaterservices.org/budget. CWS remains committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public involvement throughout the budget process.

Clean Water Services (CWS) is a county service district organized under Oregon Revised Statute 451. CWS works with Washington County and 12 partner cities to provide sewer and stormwater services in the urban areas of the Tualatin River Watershed. The CWS Board of Directors is made up of elected officials who also serve as Washington County Commissioners.

Recently Published

‘Wastewater Olympics’ Boosts Essential Services Skills 

It’s been called the Wastewater Olympics, the Sewage Superbowl, and one of the best professional development programs in the water sector. The Operations Challenge exists because wrangling wastewater to protect our communities and environment requires well-trained professionals who can put their skills to work quickly, safely, and collaboratively.

Give Thanks for Your Toilet

Have you thought about what it would be like to live without toilets? According to the WHO and CDC, about 1.5 billion people don’t have access to safely managed sanitation in their home, and another 3.4 billion people don’t have access to safely managed sanitation anywhere — even outside of their home. Inadequate sanitation systems spread human waste into rivers, lakes, and soil — contaminating the water resources under our feet. 
A white toilet against a blue tile wall.
A river within the Tualatin river watershed with lush vegetation shading the water and the edges. Community members paddle on the river on a sunny day.