New low-phosphate dishwasher detergents are now on grocery store shelves across Oregon to comply with a new law that goes into effect July 1. The new DEQ requirement mandates that all automatic dishwasher detergents for residential use have low-phosphate formulas.

"Implementing this law is part of DEQ's ongoing efforts to improve the health of water in Oregon's lakes, rivers and streams and protect people, pets and fish," said DEQ Director Dick Pedersen.

Curious about how your lifestyle habits may contribute to climate change? With the new Oregon Carbon Calculator, you can understand how your household's consumption of energy, food, goods and services contributes to the production of carbon dioxide and other emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.

Compare your household's carbon footprint to households of similar size and income. And learn new strategies for reducing your carbon footprint.

DEQ posts public notices concerning new permit applications, permit renewals, water quality management plans and other environmental projects on our Public Notices page. Written comments are welcome for all of these projects.

Visit the page to scroll the ongoing list of public notices updated regularly. You also can subscribe to it through your RSS feed. Or sign up for updates on specific topics by e-mail.

Now it's easier to file a pollution complaint for DEQ to investigate with our new online fillable form. Please use Adobe Reader 8 or higher when filling the form. To report a spill or environmental emergency, contact the Oregon Emergency Response System at 1-800-452-0311.

Beginning August 1, 2010, if you are selling a home with an old, uncertified woodstove, you will be required to remove this device. The 2009 Oregon Legislature signed Senate Bill 102 into law requiring the removal of any uncertified woodstove from a home when it is sold.

This law is part of a program to help protect Oregonians from uncontrolled wood smoke. Residential wood burning is a significant source of air pollution, including fine particulate and air toxics.

DEQ is considering the advantages and disadvantages of potential use of a one-time nomination available to the State of Oregon to list the North Ridge Estates as a federal Superfund site. North Ridge Estates is a residential subdivision northeast of Klamath Falls that is built over demolished material containing asbestos.

Public hearing July 27.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved a plan that sets in motion the first paint product stewardship "take-back" program in the nation. The PaintCare program, which officially begins July 1 and is funded by paint manufacturers, allows consumers to return unused paint to participating retailers and other sites for proper disposal. The pilot program is expected to collect as much as 600,000 gallons of leftover paint annually in Oregon and is expected to be rolled out nationally.

Oregon DEQ offices willl be closed on six different state furlough days in 2010, in addition to state holiday closures. We hope you will plan ahead to prevent any inconveniences.

Receive e-mail notifications and updates on a variety of DEQ projects. Select from a menu of topics that interest you.