Tag Archives: water quality

Turning water into beer

Washington County’s recycled water can now be used by breweries and distilleries to make beer, whiskey and other adult beverages. DEQ recently approved Clean Water Service’s request to expand their high purity recycled water program, allowing CWS to provide this water to commercial brewers and distilleries to produce alcoholic beverages for sale to the generalContinue reading “Turning water into beer”

Spill drills and current busters

The ships come and go, but the plan – equipment and people – are always here and prepared to respond. — Elizabeth Wainwright, MFSA Director Ships from around the world carry oil into Oregon. In the unlikely event of a spill, DEQ is helping ensure the state is prepared to respond. Recently, I had aContinue reading “Spill drills and current busters”

DEQ opposes rollbacks of Clean Water Act regulations

On Oct. 21, 2019, Gov. Kate Brown sent a letter to the Acting Administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency detailing opposition to proposed changes to section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Section 401 gives the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and tribes the authority to issue water quality certifications for projects that require aContinue reading “DEQ opposes rollbacks of Clean Water Act regulations”

Deeper dive on health of Oregon’s waterways

DEQ released its most comprehensive evaluation yet of the health of Oregon’s rivers, stream, lakes and other waters. Water quality and DEQ lab staff made significant improvements to the Integrated Report on Surface Water Quality and List of Water Quality Limited Waters, including a more robust analysis. The report is available this year in aContinue reading “Deeper dive on health of Oregon’s waterways”