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Fireworks: Keep the Spectacle Out of Storm Drains 

Education Public Health Rainwater Management Tualatin River
We encourage people to have safe and joyous celebrations, but we also want to protect our slow and sensitive Tualatin River, which is a vital resource to our region. The Tualatin River provides drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and recreation. It’s also home to native wildlife like beavers, turtles, salmon, newts, egrets, and more. Keep these critters in mind when you clean up after using fireworks.  
Spent fireworks collect in a debris pile along the curb of a sidewalk.

Water Releases Make Tualatin River a Year-Round Resource 

The arrival of warm and dry weather and a hot forecast ahead prompted Clean Water Services (CWS) to begin releasing cool water on May 12, 2026. The Tualatin River is a vital source of water for Washington County communities, crops, and companies. To keep the Tualatin River flowing and healthy in dry months, CWS releases cool water from Hagg Lake and Barney Reservoir.
An aerial view of where water is released from Scoggins Dam. Part of Hagg Lake is visible on the left, with trees and hills in the background.

Leave it to Beavers 

There’s a lot we already know about nature’s engineers. Beavers have iron-enriched teeth, which is what makes them strong enough to gnaw wood (and gives them an orange color). Beavers also have a unique way of communicating — by slapping their tails to draw attention to something or even warn of potential danger.  
A beaver in water.

Rain to Drain to River

Your actions, no matter how small, can impact the life cycle of the salmon, and the overall health of the watershed.
Rainfall on suburban rooftops.

‘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.