Public Works

The City of West Linn is dedicated to protecting the water quality of the local streams, rivers, and wetlands. Therefore, to protect the waters in our region, the City's erosion prevention and sediment control program was developed.

City codes call for submittal of erosion prevention/sediment control plans for all permit applicants including single family permits. Each plan shall present in a clear fashion, information demonstrating what preventive measures will be taken to avoid sediment from leaving the site.

The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program is a congressionally mandated program under the Clean Water Act. The program is a comprehensive two-phased national program for addressing the non-agricultural sources of storm water discharges that adversely affect water quality. The program is implemented locally through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ issues permits to applicable entities which participate in and/or oversee activities which are recognized as potential sources of pollutants.

The Streets Division is part of the West Linn Public Works department. The goals of the Streets Division are:

Provide safe travel for emergency/public safety vehicles, school busses, and the driving public by the maintenance of predetermined snow routes

Provide protection to the public by closure of hazardous areas

Provide citizens with aesthetically pleasing roadsides maintained in a manner as to allow sight distance and good visibility of signage.

Assure proper drainage from road surfaces and prolong pavement life.

The Water Division, which is part of the West Linn Public Works Department is dedicated to providing the consumer with high quality water that meets or exceeds the standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). The goals of the Water Division include

Most of us blame water pollution and its effects on large industries, municipal treatment plants, and corporations. In reality, we're all responsible. In nearly all parts of the country much and sometimes most of the pollution comes from many other sources referred to as non-point source, or runoff pollution. The next time it rains in your neighborhood, watch as it runs off your roof, street, and parking lots. You can see it pick up oil, grease, litter, soil, and other materials.

The Sewer Branch is part of the West Linn Public Works Department and works in conjunction with the Stormwater Branch to comprise the Environmental Service Division (ESD).

Objectives of the Sewer branch include:

To operate, maintain, repair and expand the City's sewage collection, pumping and transmission systems within legal and regulatory constraints. This includes 7.5 square miles of city property encompassing 115 miles of Sewer lines with pipe diameters ranging from 6 inches to 24 inches, 7 City Pump Stations and 3 Tri-City Pump Stations.

All of the storm water in the City of West Linn that is collected by curb inlets and catch basins, drains to local streams.

The average annual rainfall in West Linn is 47.060 inches. Approximately 75% of the total precipitation occurs during the 6 months between October and March.

There are approximately 107 miles of storm lines, 2500 catch basins, 105 Pollution Control Manholes, 40 Ponds and 54 underground detention tanks that are maintained by the City's storm water crew each year.

The Stormwater Branch is part of the West Linn Public Works department, and works in conjuction with the Sewer Branch to comprise the Environmental Service Division (ESD).

Objectives of the Stormwater Branch include:

The Storm Drainage Master Plan guides the City's efforts to manage storm water runoff, reduce storm water pollution, and protect/enhance natural habitat areas affected by the drainage system. The most current version was completed in 2019. It replaces the 2006 master plan. Many of the capital improvement projects undertaken by the City are derived from inadequacies pointed out by the surface water management plan.

The City of West Linn is pleased to provide you with this year’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. We want to keep you informed about the water and services provided to our customers during the current year. Reports from prior years are also available for review.

It is our goal to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The City of West Linn encourages public interest and participation in our community’s decisions affecting drinking water.