Services, Guides, and Information
288 services and resources found
Estimating Your Clean River Rewards Discount
Popular
Service
On this page, you can see how your savings will increase with each step you take to let rain running off your roof, driveway, or parking lot safely soak into the ground on your property. You will also find instructions on how to measure trees on your property.
2020 Source Control Manual
Manual
The 2020 Source Control Manual became effective Dec. 14. The manual sets City policy for drainage and discharges resulting from development and post-development activities for site-specific activities like waste storage, loading and unloading, exterior storage and processing, and dewatering.
The 2020 Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) became effective Dec.14, 2020. The manual sets City policy and design requirements for stormwater management on all development, redevelopment, and improvement projects on both public and private property in Portland.
About Combined Sewer Overflows
Information
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Willamette River and Columbia Slough are rare. But when they do occur, Portlanders are advised to stay out of the water for 48 hours following a CSO due to higher levels of bacteria and other contaminants. Find out if a CSO is happening now.
About Downtown-Old Town Sewer Repair Program
Information
The Downtown-Old Town Sewer Repair Program is a multi-year and multi-million-dollar investment to assess the condition and capacity of the aging public sewer system serving Portland's Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods and to construct the necessary repairs and upgrades.
About Environmental Services
Information
About Green Streets
Information
Green streets reduce sewer overflows and backups by slowing and absorbing stormwater runoff from sidewalks and streets. Also known as rain gardens or bioswales, green streets are important to the City’s sewer and stormwater systems. They also help prevent pollution from washing into our rivers.
About Our Sewer and Stormwater System
Information
Portland’s sewer and stormwater system includes pipes, pump stations, and treatment plants. It also includes green street planters, rain gardens, and trees. Together, this “grey” and “green” infrastructure helps us manage sewage and stormwater to protect people, property, and our environment.
About Portland's Watershed Report Cards
Information
Portland’s watershed report cards provide an overview of watershed health in the city. These science-based report cards summarize complex scientific information from the city’s environmental monitoring program and other data.
About the Big Pipe Project
Information
Spanning 20 years at a ratepayer investment of $1.4 billion, the Big Pipe Project has reduced combined sewer overflows to the Willamette River by 94 percent and to the Columbia Slough by 99 percent. With most overflows eliminated, the Willamette is cleaner than it’s been in decades.
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) supports Portland community groups and residents who want to improve the health of Portland watersheds. Grants up to $12,000 are awarded to eligible projects on an annual basis.
About the Plant’s Community Advisory Committee
Information
In service since 1992, the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Community Advisory Committee provides important input to Environmental Services on projects, construction, and operations and maintenance at the plant.
About the Secondary Treatment Expansion Program
Information
STEP is the largest improvement project at the treatment plant since the 1970s. The improvements will increase the plant's resiliency, protect water quality, and provide healthier work environments for essential workers.
About the Wastewater Treatment Process
Information
Wastewater treatment recovers resources from the water we use in our homes, such as in sinks and toilets. Recovering the resources from that “used” water helps keep our community’s rivers healthy and creates renewable resources for energy and agriculture.
About the Wetlands Inventory Project
Information
The Wetland Inventory Project (WIP), led by the Bureau of Environmental Services, is using the Oregon Department of State Lands methodology to map wetlands throughout all of Portland.
Accepting a Private Sewer in the Right-of-Way
Information
The City of Portland code requires individual properties to have direct and independent connections to the public sewer. However, the City may accept or adopt a private sewer line in the right-of-way serving residential properties under certain conditions.
Learn more about the requirements that apply to accessory dwelling units related to water, sanitary and stormwater sewer connections.
Find important information about fiscal and insurance requirements along with expectations before and during project implementation of your Portland Harbor Community Grant.
Apply for a Brownfield Grant
Service
If you are buying, selling, or developing a potential brownfield property for reuse that creates community benefit, you may be eligible for a Brownfield Grant. Learn how to apply on this page.
If you have a project that benefits your community and the environment, you can apply for a Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) grant of up to $12,000. The two-page pre-application for projects is due the last week of January.
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program provides funding for native plants that provide environmental benefits. Vouchers from nurseries are available to community groups or individuals planning to improve community spaces. Applications are accepted year-round.
Portland Harbor Community Grants support community-led projects and programs about the Portland Harbor Superfund. Grant requests may be up to $75,000. The 2024-205 grant period has closed.
Apply for a loan from Environmental Services to finance system sewer conversion charges. Loans can also cover the cost of paying a qualified contractor to connect a building or manufactured home to the public sewer system or replace a nonconforming sewer connection.
Apply for a Treebate
Service
With Treebate, you can receive a one-time credit on your City of Portland sewer/stormwater/water utility bill for planting a tree in your yard or garden. Purchase, plant, and apply from September 1 through April 30 for a credit of up to $50 per tree.
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