Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

04/22/2026

Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. visited Portland's Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant to see firsthand how $1,092,000 in federal Community Project Funding will support Portland’s wastewater system.

The funding championed by the Congresswoman will help replace aging digester mixers, repair kits, and purchase portable generators for pump stations to help maintain reliable service during extreme weather, power outages, and other emergencies.

Investments like these are essential to keeping systems that Portlanders rely on every hour of every day running smoothly. Thank you, Rep. Dexter!

04/15/2026

From April 18 to June 15, 2026, we invite Portland families to get outside and explore one or both of our StoryWalk® locations at Whitaker Ponds in northeast Portland and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in southeast Portland.

StoryWalk® gives families a fun, low-impact activity and a reason to take a walk through two of Portland’s amazing natural areas this spring. With StoryWalk®, you follow the pages of a storybook along the trail until you reach the end of the tale. On your walk, you might also spot a great blue heron, dragonflies buzzing, a pond full of tadpoles, bees at work, and more.

Learn more about StoryWalk® at: www.portland.gov/bes/clean-rivers-education/storywalk

04/14/2026

Cleaning the curb can make a huuuuuuge difference 💫

By signing up for the Green Street Stewards program, you can help protect our rivers. Across Portland, there are small rain gardens and bioswales that soak up and filter stormwater before it reaches waterways—but sometimes, they need a little help.

Stewards adopt a green street planter in their neighborhood by:
🍂 Clearing leaves and litter
🌱 Weeding and caring for plants
💦 Watering during dry months
🌼 Adding additional plants or flowers

It’s easy work that makes streets greener and our water cleaner.

Sign up, get a quick training, and choose a planter near you: https://www.portland.gov/bes/green-street-stewards/green-street-stewards

04/13/2026

Join us on April 18 with Green Lents, Malden Court Community Orchard, and Solve for a presentation, tour, and volunteer cleanup at the West Lents Floodplain Restoration Project along Johnson Creek.

Participants will learn about the restoration work, explore the West Lents Restoration Project area, and help care for the site alongside other community members.

Register and learn more: https://volunteer.solve.org/opportunity/a0CVL00003mCMP82AO/johnson-creek-green-lents-stewardship

03/12/2026

A combined sewer overflow (CSO) advisory has been issued for the Willamette River.

02/23/2026

Watershed Wide 2026 is less than two weeks away! Volunteers will have a chance to remove invasive plants, plant native trees and shrubs, and do good work to support the Tryon Creek watershed.

Did we mention the free lunch, yet? That's right, you help us plant 3000 plants and we will give you tamales!

Check out all the sites you can sign-up for by clicking here --> https://www.jcwc.org/events/2026-watershed-wide-event/

02/20/2026

Watershed Wide 2026 is less than a month away! Volunteers will have a chance to remove invasive plants, plant native trees and shrubs, and do good work to support the Tryon Creek watershed.

02/13/2026

Sewage Advisory: Crews respond to sewage release in NW Portland.

At approximately 10:40 am on February 12, City crews responded to reports of a sewage release from a broken pipe near 2600 NW Beuhla Vista Terrace near its intersection with NW MacLeay Blvd. As a precaution, the public is advised to follow posted signage in the area.

On Tuesday, February 12, City crews responded to reports of a sewage leak from an excavation hole on NW Beuhla Vista Terrace

02/09/2026

The Seahawks' defense wasn’t the only thing that showed up yesterday. An inch of rain was no problem for the Big Pipe.

The Willamette River Big Pipes can hold up to 100 million gallons at a time, so when the Big Pipe is about 25% full, that’s roughly 25 million gallons of sewage and stormwater being kept out of the Willamette River.

You can track how the Big Pipe Project is preventing combined sewer overflows near real time at portland.gov/bes/big-pipe-tracker

02/05/2026

02/03/2026

Looking for a career that makes a real difference? The City of Portland is hiring for a wide range of jobs and career paths across many fields—and we want you to be part of the work.

Visit Portland.gov/Jobs to view current job openings.

When you join the City of Portland, you join a mission to serve our community, strengthen public trust, and help make Portland a more equitable and livable place for everyone. We are committed to improving equitable service delivery and creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, safe, and supported.

Ready to take the next step?

Each month, the City offers free, interactive sessions that walk you through how to apply for City jobs—covering everything from navigating the application to standing out as a candidate.

Discover the meaningful, fulfilling opportunities waiting for you at the City of Portland—and apply today.