Services, Guides, and Information

266 services and resources found
Use these education resources to learn about salmon and other fish species that live year-round in the city's rivers and streams in various life stages — spawning, rearing, and/or migrating. Find out about the challenges they face and how we can help protect and restore fish habitat.
In nature, soil and plants absorb most of the rain. In the city, rain washes over streets and buildings and can carry pollution to rivers and streams or cause erosion and flooding. Check out these stormwater and green infrastructure education resources to learn more!
What happens to the water after it goes down a toilet, sink, bathtub, or a storm drain? Learn what not to flush and how recovering the resources from that “used” water helps keep our community’s rivers healthy and creates renewable resources for energy and agriculture.
How do we know if our watersheds are healthy? Monitoring conditions in Portland’s rivers and streams helps us understand the health of our watersheds and track changes over time. Check out these education resources about water quality.
A watershed is an area of land where all the rain and snowmelt drains to a common body of water such as a river, stream, lake, or slough. People, fish, and wildlife need healthy watersheds to survive. Check out these education resources and learn what we can all do to protect Portland watersheds.
Take a tour with us from your home or classroom! Virtually visit Whitaker Ponds, Oaks Bottom, Erroll Heights, or Marshall Park.
This curated collection of videos, articles, worksheets, and other web-based tools provides teachers with background resources or extension activities for Clean Rivers Education field trips or classroom activities.
Environmental Services' Columbia Slough Sediment Program works closely with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to investigate environmental conditions in the slough and implement actions to prevent pollution and improve watershed health.
Eating fish is good for you and an excellent source of protein. However, fish from the Columbia Slough may contain contaminants that make the fish harmful to eat. Learn how to fish smart and eat safe to protect the health of you and your family.
The Columbia Slough watershed includes roughly 32,700 acres. It encompasses land and waterways in north and northeast Portland, Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, and Maywood Park. The slough watershed supports a wide range of wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else in Portland.
This report card summarizes conditions in the Columbia Slough watershed. Highly developed, this watershed faces challenges in improving its habitat and fish and wildlife scores. Thanks to decades of investment, water quality and hydrology scores have improved.
Public Works Construction content is coming soon.
The Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) application process includes a pre-application phase. If your pre-application is approved, the CWSP Coordinator will invite you to complete a full application. Learn more about how and when to apply for a CWSP grant.
Congratulations! Your project has been selected to receive a Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) grant. Find out more about what to do during project implementation and completion.
The eligibility information covers who and what types of projects are eligible for the Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) grants. This section also outlines eligible and ineligible project expenses.
Environmental Services evaluates Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) grant project submissions based on three criteria: watershed and environmental benefits, community involvement and partnerships, and equity and leadership. Find more details about the selection criteria.
Your company may need a permit or other authorization before discharging any wastewater into City sewers. To find out, first complete this environmental survey. Environmental Services will review your completed survey and notify you if your company requires a permit or authorization.
Environmental Services provides sewer service within the City of Portland. Properties outside the City of Portland limits may qualify for City sewer services if they are within the Portland Urban Services Boundary (USB). This page provides guidance on connecting to the sewer from outside the City.
Most developed properties in Portland are connected to the City's public sewer system, but some still have private septic systems. Other properties have nonconforming sewers and require conversion. When first connecting to the city sewer or making a conversion, there are various charges.
Most developed properties in Portland are connected to the public sewer system, but some properties still use private septic systems. Learn more about when septic systems are allowed and when properties on septic might be required to connect to the City sewer.
Producers of craft fermented beverages such as kombucha, beer, wine, spirits, or other breweries or distillers, are required to apply for a discharge authorization and then to file annual certification forms each year. Find and download the required forms here.
Quarterly newsletter from Environmental Services and Portland Water — Portland's service providers for sewer, stormwater, and water. In this issue, find information on the importance of water, our new Smart Discount Program, how to prevent sewer backups, and gardening with Pacific Northwest plants.
The EPA requires the City to implement amalgam waste management rules for dental practices. All dental practices that discharge wastewater to a Portland-owned wastewater treatment facility must verify that they are in compliance with these rules.
Where soils soak up water and yards don’t have steep slopes, disconnecting your downspouts to direct water from your roof to your yard can be a simple, inexpensive, effective, and easy way to manage the rain on your property.

Drywells

Information
A drywell is a long-term and low-maintenance way to manage the rain on your property. It may be a good solution for a property where erosion and flooding are a frequent concern. Drywells are underground, so they will not change the visual appearance of your space.