Services, Guides, and Information
191 services and resources found
About Combined Sewer Overflows
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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 Environmental Services
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About Green Streets
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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 Neighborhood to the River Grants
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Neighborhood to the River grants are available for projects that improve stormwater management and watershed health while benefiting and involving communities.
About Our Sewer and Stormwater System
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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
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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 January 22, 2024.
To get a 1200-Z or 1200-A general NPDES stormwater discharge permit for an industrial site in City limits, start here. We receive and process applications for general stormwater permits. The City is the authorized agent for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program provides funding for native plants that benefit water quality and the watershed. Gift certificates from Bosky Dell Native Nursery are available to community groups or individuals planning to improve community spaces. Applications accepted year-round.
If you have a project that benefits your community and the environment, you can apply for a Neighborhood to the River grant. Neighborhood to the River grants support community projects that improve stormwater management and watershed health.
Portland Harbor Community Grants support community-led projects and programs about the Portland Harbor Superfund. Grant requests may be up to $75,000. Applications are due by February 21, 2024.
Apply for a Treebate
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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.
Apply for and receive your UC Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UC Permits that are required for private lateral connections to public sewer laterals or mains. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details.
Apply for and receive a UR Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UR Permits for lateral repairs in the right-of-way (ROW), typically from property line to curb. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details. Development Services issues permits for private property sewer work.
The City may accept or adopt a private sewer line in the right-of-way serving residential properties under certain conditions. To request that the City of Portland consider accepting or adopting your private sewer line in the public right-of-way, follow the steps on this page.
Your company may need a permit to discharge process wastewater to the City sewer. Download the Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit application here.
Batch discharge authorizations are issued to businesses or projects that need to discharge to the sanitary sewer or, in rare cases, to the stormwater system. Discharges are limited in volume and duration and are often for specific or infrequent operations. Learn how to apply for authorization.
Discharges are prohibited from entering the City's stormwater system. For discharges into the sanitary sewer, businesses must get authorization before discharging, and businesses must certify compliance annually. Find forms and instructions to request authorization and to apply for certification.
At-Risk Species List
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The At-Risk Species List is a subset of the Special Status List that includes the species most vulnerable and of highest concern. On this page, you will find the species on this list.
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