OUR PRIORITIES OUR PROGRAMS GET INVOLVED STAY INFORMED SUBSCRIBE OUR STORY Search Clean and Abundant Water On this page: WHY CLEAN WATER IS A PRIORITY ASSESSING WATER QUALITY POLLUTION THE WATER SUPPLY HOW YOU CAN HELP More about clean water: STREAMSIDE PLANTINGS WATER CONSERVATION RAINWATER MANAGEMENT Why Clean Water Is a Priority Every living thing on Earth relies on clean and abundant water. Fun fact: The Tualatin River watershed contains about 900 miles of waterways that support human lives, local economies, and wildlife. The Tualatin River is Washington County’s primary source of drinking water, irrigation water, and water for industrial and domestic uses. Once known as Oregon’s most polluted river, the Tualatin River’s water quality has improved since the 1980s. Maintaining this progress requires continuous effort by residents, businesses, and resource managers. Washington County is a diverse area consisting of farms, forests, and urban communities. No matter where you live within the watershed, each of us can help keep our waterways clean and flowing. Water quality is assessed by looking at the following factors: Sediment Sediment is a naturally occurring element of nature, but large quantities of it in water can block sunlight from reaching aquatic plants that require sun to photosynthesize. Sediment can also carry pollutants that attach to the surface of fine dirt particles. Heat Heat is a form of pollution that harms fish and other lifeforms. Water can be warmed naturally by the sun, but temperature can also be negatively affected by human activity, such as removing vegetation from streambanks or creating barriers that slow the flow of the water. Nutrients Nutrients are chemicals that fuel plant and animal life. Too many nutrients in waterways can cause an explosion of growth resulting in harmful algal blooms and eutrophication . Nitrogen and phosphorus are common pollutants because they are the main ingredients of fertilizer. Bacteria Bacteria, such as E. coli, are found in animal and human waste and can cause severe illness and toxic algae. Bacteria can make their way into water sources from livestock operations or degraded septic systems. Dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen is a measurement of the amount of oxygen present in a body of water. Just like terrestrial plants and animals, aquatic organisms need to breathe oxygen. Low levels of dissolved oxygen are an indicator of poor water quality. Where does pollution come from? Pollution is categorized into two groups based on its source. The methods for controlling each group are unique and present very different challenges. Point source Point source pollution comes from a precise location, such as a pipe that releases waste products from a factory into a body of water. This type of pollution is controlled with a permit system established under the Clean Water Act. These permits limit the amount and type of pollution that can be discharged. They also include requirements that ensure the waste does not harm water quality or human health. Non-point source Non-point source pollution comes from a general area, but it is difficult to determine its exact origin. Examples: rainwater from dirty roads or fertilizer that runs off a field. We primarily target non-point source pollution. Some ways to reduce it: Minimizing chemical use Planting trees and shrubs along streams Installing drip-irrigation systems Keeping livestock out of waterways Installing rain gardens Avoiding harvesting trees along streams or on steep slopes The water supply: Everyone is directly affected by our water supply’s accessibility and cost. Having either too much or too little water can impact farming, residential infrastructure, and stream health. Water shortages cause hardship for: Farmers who must irrigate crops Families that lack a steady supply of clean drinking water Outdoor enthusiasts recreating in or around water Fish that live in streams, and wildlife that depends on fish for food On the other hand, flooding results in: Stream bank erosion Damaged buildings Pollutants entering waterways Human activities throughout the watershed, including increased development and certain farming and forestry practices, have combined to create higher peak flows that arrive faster and with more force, leading to the degradation of streams. It is critical we work together as a community to ensure that our water supply meets the needs of humans and wildlife. We can do this by managing our natural resources and the areas we live in, in ways that don’t worsen flooding. You can help protect water quality and abundance in the Tualatin River watershed: Practice conserving water WATER CONSERVATION Explore ways to manage rainwater and prevent runoff on your property RAINWATER MANAGEMENT Plant and maintain vegetation along streams STREAMSIDE PLANTINGS Research the Tualatin River Watershed Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan VIEW PDF More About Clean Water: Seven Steps to Create a Water-wise Garden July 9, 2021 What Can Frogs and Salamanders Tell Us About Water Quality? April 14, 2021 Clean Water Project: Wingham Farms Partners With Tualatin SWCD to Protect Streams Going big for conservation! Daniel and Julie Lee, owners of Wingham Farms, are protecting 31 acres of land adjacent to... Email me about caring for the soil and water! 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