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  • Is it Safe to Swim in the Willamette River in Portland?


    Summer is almost here and for many Oregonians it’s time to get out and enjoy everything the Willamette River has to offer. On warmer days crowds are drawn to the natural beauty of the river to fish, swim, kayak, canoe or boat.  Along with these great outdoor activities also comes a question—how clean is the river?
     

    Is the water safe?Yes, it’s safe to swim in the Willamette most of the year! Data collected over the past ten years shows that bacteria are almost always at healthy levels in Portland.
     
     
    Water safety tips
    If you do swim or boat in the river here are some tips for minimizing your risk to exposure:
    • Avoid swimming or coming in contact with river water after a heavy rainstorm
    • Wash your hands and shower after swimming
    • Try not to swallow river water
    • Don’t swim in cloudy water
       
      Read more about the Willamette River water quality​.
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  • Oregonians Can Help DEQ Monitor Water Quality


    Improving the health and quality of our water brings many Oregonians together. Recently, the public participated in clean-up efforts on the Oregon coast and along the Willamette River. Other events offered by various organizations provide additional opportunities throughout the year. DEQ’s Laboratory offers a volunteer water quality monitoring program to groups interested in restoring and enhancing water quality. More than 50 organizations ranging from watershed councils to local non-profit groups have connected with DEQ to gain valuable training on water sampling, monitoring and other aspects of water quality improvement and measurement. Find out more about how you can help by participating in DEQ’s Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program.

  • Oregon Electronics Recycling Program Shows Gains in 2012

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    The Oregon E-Cycles Program, now in its fifth year, continues to show growth in its collection of unwanted computers, monitors and televisions throughout the state.

     
    DEQ administers the program, which has grown to a network of more than 250 collection sites and recycling facilities statewide that accept computers, monitors and televisions for free. Electronics manufacturers collect and recycle the materials and pay registration fees to cover DEQ’s administrative costs. DEQ sets collection goals each year.

    “Oregon E-Cycles reached a new high in terms of pounds in collected in 2012,” said James Padilla, E-Cycles project manager. “We expect to see continued gains through 2013." Oregonians can visit the E-Cycles web page when it comes time to recycle computers, monitors and TVs. DEQ's website is a great resource for finding convenient collection sites throughout the state.
     
    The 26.7 million pounds of Oregon electronics waste collected in 2012 represents 6.9 pounds per Oregonian. Among states with electronics recycling laws, Oregon’s 6.9 pounds-per-capita collection rate ranks among the highest in the nation, based on data compiled by the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse. The recycling of electronic waste collected in 2012 achieves an energy savings equivalent to 3.2 million gallons of gasoline, as well as greenhouse gas reductions equal to tailpipe emissions of 6,325 cars per year.
Resources DEQ Spotlight
Welcome to DEQ!
We've compiled a list of resource links below to help you quickly locate some of our most popular topics.
 
 
 

 

How Do I? 

 DEQ is on Flickr Flickr Icon 
Check out the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in action.

 

 
DEQ Office Locations, Hours and Scheduled ClosuresFor notice of inclement weather closures, check the Office Locations and Hours page.

 
Join Our E-Mail Update Lists
Receive e-mail notifications and updates on a variety of DEQ projects. Select from a menu of topics that interest you. Sign up for e-mail updates 
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DEQ Report Featured on OPB Oregon Field Guide
OPB's Oregon Field Guide recently featured a story about DEQ's ecological assessment of the Lower Mid-Columbia River. This study is the first of its kind on this section of the Columbia. Watch the OPB video featuring DEQ's Water Quality Monitoring Manager Aaron Borisenko, or read the DEQ report.
Director Dick Pedersen Meet Director Dick Pedersen
Comcast newsmakers interview Department of Environmental Quality Director Dick Pedersen about the agency's approach to solving environmental problems. Watch the video.