New Web site focuses on protecting rivers, public health

Riverhealth.org

Protecting water quality and public health - and explaining how Clackamas County is doing that - is the focus of a new Web site (www.riverhealth.org) and this e-newsletter.

The site details the short-term wastewater treatment system improvement plans being carried out by the Capacity Management Program of Water Environment Services (WES) a department of Clackamas County. Watch a video that tells why WES is moving ahead with upgrades at two wastewater treatment plants. And watch for construction alerts as new infrastructure is being built to allow more capacity to connect more North Clackamas County homes and businesses to the Tri-City Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oregon City.

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One benefit of expanding wastewater treatment capacity in Clackamas County is the repair and return of the 82nd Drive Bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists

A much-missed bridge crossing the Clackamas River between Gladstone and Oregon City will be restored to public use as part of a major wastewater treatment system improvement plan expected to start in mid-summer.

The 82nd Drive Bridge, also historically known as the Park Place Bridge, will be repaired this year and available for pedestrians and bicyclists. The span is being improved to carry new sewage treatment lines from North Clackamas County to the Tri-City Wastewater Treatment plant in Oregon City.

Water Environment Services, a department of Clackamas County, is managing the project for Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD#1). Bids for bridge repairs were advertised mid-April, with repairs starting in July and expected to be complete by end of October.

“Although we bought the bridge with the express purpose of using it as a conveyance for our wastewater pipes, we were happy that the bridge could have a dual purpose and that pedestrians could continue to use the bridge,” said Mike Kuenzi, WES' director.

Bidding to start for wastewater treatment expansion

Plans to meet the wastewater treatment capacity needs of North Clackamas County residents are moving ahead, with key construction contract opportunities to be advertised starting this month. In April, Water Environment Services (WES) a department of Clackamas County issued a request for qualifications a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), for preconstruction and construction services for expansion at the Tri-City Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The goal is to provide adequate wastewater treatment for residents of Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD#1) between now and 2010. Design for key pieces of WES' Phase 1 capacity management plan are nearing completion. (Please see www.riverhealth.org to learn about this program and more.)

County Commission to set new rates to fund wastewater system expansion

The Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is expected to authorize bonds in June to pay for Phase 1 construction. Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD#1) ratepayers and new customers will pay for most of the bonds through increased wastewater treatment fees and system development charges (SDCs).

Citizens group takes look at long-term treatment options

Jim Bennett

Lowering the cost of long-term investments? Meeting higher water protection standards? Are there benefits if several different wastewater treatment districts in Clackamas County collaborate to build a system to meet the community's needs during the next few decades? What are they?

Appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in February, the Community Partners Task Committee continues to debate these questions and more.

If the task force can create a plan for recommendation to the BCC this spring, huge cost avoidance is possible

Damascus - When will sewers get here?

Damascus

Damascus City Manager Jim Bennett is frequently asked: “When will the sewers get here?” See his one-minute video on the importance of developing a wastewater treatment system for this fast-growing community.

Jim says: “People depend upon a functioning sewer system to make their lives more comfortable, and it's typical to expect that when you flush it, it goes away. When you turn on the tap, the water comes on. You never really think about where that all comes from and who does all that work, but it's very important. People would be very unhappy if they didn't have it.”