Stormwater and Water Quality

You can help keep local waterways healthy

Anything on a roof, driveway, parking lot, sidewalk, and even your lawn or garden can be washed into a storm drain.  It's up to all of us to connect the dots and keep pollution out of our waterways.  See our tips and resources below.

Residents

Pesticides, Fertilizers, Yard & Garden Care

Pet Waste

Car Washing

  • Use phosphate-free and biodegradable cleansers or just water
  • Use rolled-up towels to divert wash water into a grassy or gravel area to allow the ground to filter pollutants
  • Read our fact sheet for more tips on stormwater-friendly car washing
  • To borrow a Fish-Friendly Carwash Kit for your car wash fundraiser, call 541-682-4929

Pressure Washing

  • Start with dry absorbents, sweeping and vacuuming
  • Filter runoff, divert it into landscaped areas, or pump it into the sanitary sewer to keep debris and chemicals out of storm drains
  • Read about stormwater-safe pressure washing tips.

Spills and leaks

Rain Gardens

New to these natural water-treatment facilities? Learn how rain gardens work to filter pollutants. Have one at home or on your street? Visit our rain garden resources page for information about the structure, plants and maintenance of these features. There is also an annual reporting form if your home has one of these private systems for stormwater. 


Businesses

Some business owners aren't aware of practices that can affect water quality. Learn how your business can protect water from common pollutants:


Amazon Creek Habitat

Did you know that Amazon Creek is both a stormwater channel and a riparian habitat? If your home or business is along the Amazon, learn more about how this creek's vegetation improves stormwater quality.


To report a spill or pollution entering a  storm drain or in Amazon Creek, please call 541-682-4800 during business hours, or 541-682-5111 after hours to report it. Or contact us by email.

Clean Water Connections

Our annual newsletter contains articles about a wide range of topics related to pollution prevention.
 Clean Water Connections 2023 Cover