The City of Lake Oswego owns over one mile of Willamette riverfront and is making the River increasingly accessible by providing parks, sports facilities and pathways. The City’s focus is on water conservation, watershed protection, surface water management, and water quality. Just some of our 2008 activities include:
• Design is nearly complete on the replacement of the Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer (LOIS). LOIS is the most significant environmental project and one of the largest public works projects in the City’s history. It will reduce the risk of overflows, ensure clean water in our lakes and streams, and meet the needs of residents for decades to come. The project replaces the existing interceptor which is at capacity and is structurally unsound.
• Clean water is the benefit of several new “greenstreet” projects in Lake Oswego. To intercept pollutants before they get to streams and rivers, the City has included green street features along 10th Street, West Bay, and Leonard Street
• Doing something “pawsitive” for the environment is the goal of Canines for Clean Water. The City has partnered this year with Clean Water Services to encourage pet owners to take a pledge to pick up after their pet and dispose of the waste properly so that it doesn’t end up in local streams. To help with this goal, the City maintains more than 40 pet waste stations in the City.
• The City developed a Storm Drain Stenciling Program to visibly remind citizens not to dispose of debris, soil, fuels, lubricants, sewage, paint and other harmful materials into the storm drains and on to local rivers, streams and Oswego Lake.
• The City’s ‘Spills Hotline’ encourages residents to report spills or illicit discharges, such as an dumping motor oil, antifreeze, paint or other pollutants in or around a storm drain.
• Erosion Control Division staff has worked with regional jurisdictions on the Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control manual. This manual ensures contractors are using the latest up-to-date information and the best products available to minimize construction sediment from entering our waterways, which all eventually drain to the Willamette River.
• The City completed a Wastewater (Sanitary Sewer) Line Extension project resulting in discontinuing septic tanks and drain fields on private residential property and connecting properties to public sewer service. Many of these septic tanks had experienced failure resulting in environmental and health risks.
• The City completed a major sanitary sewer collection system rehabilitation project to seal leaky lines and manholes from water intrusion. The project included over three miles of mainline pipe and 73 manholes. Reduction of inflow and infiltration helps keep the City’s costs for wastewater treatment down and lessens undesirable backups and overflows.
The City adopted a Water Management and Conservation Plan that identifies programs and strategies that the City will implement in its effort to improve water management practices and achieve conserved water benchmarks.
• Lake Oswego and partners, Metro, Milwaukie, and North Clackamas Parks District are working on a feasibility study for a pedestrian/bike crossing on the railroad bridge between Lake Oswego and Oak Grove.
• The City continues promoting programs which bring residents to the River, and incorporating art and history to enhance the River experience.
• Lake Oswego provides useful tips on water conservation in its Water Conservation Quarterly which is mailed to all households in the City. In addition, water conservation and watershed protection information is regularly included in the City’s weekly newsletter, the LODown.
• The City promotes workshops and educational opportunities offered by Metro.