On the weekend of Sept. 13th and 14th, 11 DEQ staff members joined organizations from across the city and state at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to celebrate ScienceFest, OMSI’s annual celebration of scientists, engineers and innovators who are inspiring future generations. DEQ was one of dozens of vendors, ranging from assistive livingContinue reading “OMSI ScienceFest 2025: Community Engagement and Learning”
Tag Archives: Water quality
OASIS interns showcased real-world pollution prevention solutions for local businesses
Key Takeaways from the OASIS 2025 Summer Symposium The Oregon Applied Sustainability Internship (OASIS) program held its highly anticipated Summer Symposium recently, where eight talented interns delivered presentations showcasing their projects aimed at enhancing sustainability for Oregon businesses. You can hear directly from the interns in this 2025 OASIS program video. With funding from theContinue reading “OASIS interns showcased real-world pollution prevention solutions for local businesses”
SepticSmart Week is Sept. 15-19, as proclaimed by Oregon’s governor
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek proclaimed Sept. 15-19 to be SepticSmart Week this year, adding to the national awareness campaign to bring attention to the importance of septic system care and maintenance for public health and safety. “By making efforts to educate the public about septic systems and onsite wastewater Oregonians can achieve the highest possibleContinue reading “SepticSmart Week is Sept. 15-19, as proclaimed by Oregon’s governor”
Meet Oregon DEQ’s Public Service Champions
On May 9, DEQ Director Leah Feldon, celebrated Public Service Recognition Week nominees during the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission meeting in Bend, Oregon. This year, DEQ selected three Public Service Ambassadors: Amanda Ingmire, Kara Master and Erica Timm out of a total of eight nominees.
Estacada clean water infrastructure project wins EPA award for innovation, backed by DEQ funding
The City of Estacada received a WATERS award Tuesday from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of its innovative and effective use of its Oregon Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is loaning the city $5.5 million through this low-interest loan program to replace its 1963 wastewater treatmentContinue reading “Estacada clean water infrastructure project wins EPA award for innovation, backed by DEQ funding”
Water Quality Trading Part 1 – Innovative Approaches
Warm water from wastewater treatment plants can cause pollution problems downstream. Enter water quality trading, an innovative approach to improving water quality by restoring streambank vegetation around Oregon. Brian Creutzburg, an alternative compliance specialist at DEQ, joins Dylan Darling for the first of two episodes about water quality trading. You’ll hear some of Brian’s appearanceContinue reading “Water Quality Trading Part 1 – Innovative Approaches”
GUEST POST: DEQ and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District provide two programs for septic system repair in Clackamas County
Oregon’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund mission is to provide technical assistance and below-market rate loans for planning, design and construction projects that improve water quality and environmental outcomes. This program, managed by DEQ, helps protect public health, restore natural areas and promotes economic development statewide. Since the program began in 1988, communities all overContinue reading “GUEST POST: DEQ and Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District provide two programs for septic system repair in Clackamas County”
Closing out the year with new rules
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s governing body, the Environmental Quality Commission, adopted six different sets of rules at their November meeting last Thursday and Friday. Why do rules matter? Rules determine how DEQ regulates. When the legislature passes laws, they’re often very general. The agency responsible for implementing the law has to write theContinue reading “Closing out the year with new rules”
Staff spotlight on Matt Davis
Matt and his family at Joshua Tree National Park For October, DEQ turns the spotlight on Matt Davis. Matt joined the agency in 2017 and served in several positions, including managing air quality teams in Headquarters and Northwest Region, and spending several years representing DEQ at the Oregon Legislature as a Senior Legislative and PolicyContinue reading “Staff spotlight on Matt Davis “
Staff Spotlight: Megan Hendrickson
This week we turn the DEQ staff spotlight on Megan Hendrickson. From our Eugene office, Megan works with organizations using funds to repair and replace septic systems in Oregon. What is your favorite part of working at DEQ? I started during the pandemic. The first three months were a blur of phone calls, Teams messages,Continue reading “Staff Spotlight: Megan Hendrickson “