August is National Water Quality Awareness Month.  Let’s take some time to highlight actions we can all take to protect our water quality.

Water is essential to all life on Earth. Clean water is necessary for healthy ecosystems and for people’s quality of life. Even though most of the planet’s surface is water, only a small percentage is available for people to use. While 70% of Earth’s surface area is covered by water, only 3% of that water is freshwater and only 0.5% is available for drinking water in the form of lakes, rivers, aquifers, groundwater, and streams. The remaining 2.5% is inaccessible as glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost. 

Visualize this – if the entire world’s water supply was 26 gallons, then only half a teaspoon would be usable freshwater supply.

Located in the Tualatin River watershed, the City of Hillsboro relies on the Tualatin River as the primary drinking water source. Let’s work together to keep our local Tualatin River watershed clean! Here is what you can do to help:

• Pick up after your pets and place pet waste into the garbage - visit Clean Water Service's Scoop it Up webpage.
• When disposing of medications, do not flush down the toilet or sink drains. 
• When tending your yard or garden avoid using fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide.
• When washing your car or property, use phosphate-free and biodegradable soap.
• When cleaning driveways or sidewalks use a broom or leaf blower instead of a hose. 
• When discarding household hazardous waste use the correct location - visit Waste Management's Disposal Guide and State Directory.
• Rake leaves away from catch basins to prevent leaf material from entering the stormwater system. 
• Keep trash can lids closed to prevent rainwater from contacting and mixing with garbage. 
• Pick up and properly dispose of garbage. 
• Report illegal dumping.

This summer as you enjoy a cool drink of water or one of the City’s Splash Zones, take time and action to help our environment. Together, we can make a difference!

Annual Water Quality Reports

The City of Hillsboro’s water is clean, high-quality, and exceeds all federal and state standards. Check out the annual Water Quality Report in English and Spanish. 

For an inside look at water quality testing, check out Clean Water Service’s Testing the Waters: Inside the CWS Water Quality Lab Q&A article.