Celebrate Source Water Protection Week with Hillsboro Water

This week, we're celebrating one of our most precious resources: our water! The best way to assure we have high quality drinking water at the tap is to protect our beautiful water sources. If we keep our rivers, lakes and underground wells free from pollution, it's easier and less expensive to keep water safe and healthy.
Everyday activities we do at home, from cleaning the kitchen to washing the car, can pollute local waterways. Luckily, we've got some tips to help you celebrate Source Water Protection Week and keep our water sources clean year-round!

1. Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires

Wildfires cause issues with surface water sources, having immediate and long-term impacts to water quality.

In the short term, wildfires,

• Increase sediments and turbidity
• Increase nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen
• Increase water treatment costs to address these issues to produce clean drinking water

In the long term, wildfires,

• Limit drinking water supply
• Increase sedimentation and debris
• Create periods of high turbidity and high pH
• Cause harmful algal blooms

Make sure all campfires are fully out and cool to the touch before you leave to prevent wildfires.

2. Only Dump Water Down the Drain

Dispose of household chemicals, fats, oil, and grease (FOGs), paint, and prescription medications the right way - not down the drain! These materials are harmful to drinking water sources, and water treatment is more difficult when there's more pollution in the source. Check for local recycling programs, drug take-back events, and freeze your grease instead of pouring it in your sink.

3. Volunteer to Protect and Restore the Tualatin River

Hillsboro's water source is the Upper Tualatin River, and protecting the watershed ensures our drinking water is of the highest quality for the community.

We can't do this alone, and luckily, we have plenty of partners here to help! Check out the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, the Tualatin River Watershed Council, and the Tualatin Riverkeepers for watershed information, volunteer opportunities, and learning resources.

4. Love Your Lawn, and our Waterways

Fall is the best time to fertilize your lawn, especially when using slow-release OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) labeled fertilizer or compost. Prevent overfertilizing as it can cause harmful algal blooms that impact our water supply and our ability to fish, swim, and boat in local streams and lakes.

5. Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species

While water recreation may be wrapping up for the season, it's important to remember to carefully wash and dry boats, motors, and recreation equipment after each use. Invasive species can hitch a ride on water equipment and cause issues in our source waterways.

Join us in celebrating Source Water Protection Week from September 28 to October 4, 2026, and taking care of our water sources every day! You can help protect our water sources and ensure that we all have access to clean, safe drinking water.