About Us

OLSD Staff

The District is staffed by twenty-three employees who are responsible for operating, maintaining, and administering the facilities and function of the District.

OLSD Governance

OLSD is governed by a five-member Board of directors elected to four-year terms by the District voters.

OLSD Board Meetings

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Office located at 14611 S.E. River Road, Milwaukie, Oregon.

OLSD History

Oak Lodge Sanitary District (OLSD) was formed in 1956 to provide wastewater collection and treatment services to the area from Vineyard Road north to the City of Milwaukie and from the Willamette River east to the top of Oatfield Ridge; an area encompassing some 2000 acres. The impetus for the District’s formation was the existence of unsuitable soils for subsurface wastewater disposal, and pollution and health problems stemming from those conditions. During the design of a sanitary sewer system and wastewater treatment facility for Oak Lodge Sanitary District, the adjoining communities to the south of the newly formed district also recognized subsurface pollution and followed the lead of Oak Lodge Sanitary District by creating Oak Lodge Sanitary District No. 2. District No. 2 encompassed some 1600 acres in the area south of Vineyard Avenue to the City of Gladstone; an area known as Jennings Lodge. The two Districts agreed to share a common treatment facility and portions of the wastewater collection system. The entire service area had an estimated population of 6000.

The collection system and treatment facility, designed to serve a population of 15,000, was constructed at a cost of $2,800,000 and became operational in 1962. The construction was financed through General Obligation bonds, front footage assessments, and a $250,000 federal grant. The original capacity of the treatment facility was 1.5 million gallons per day (mgd). The two districts shared common facilities and equitably distributed the costs of capital improvements.

In 1968, the treatment plant was approaching capacity. An engineering study recommended enlargement to 4 mgd, to serve a projected population of 40,000 in 1990. Before proceeding with the proposed plant expansion, which was to occur in two phases, the two districts merged in 1971. Phase I expansion increased capacity to 2 mgd at a cost of $369,000, of which $210,809 was reimbursed in state and federal grants. The 1973 Phase II expansion increased capacity to 4 mgd at a cost of $1,003,796, of which $752,975 was reimbursed by federal grant.

The wastewater treatment plant debt was retired in 1975, and the collection system debt was retired in 1985. Since 1973, there have been numerous pump station expansions, equipment replacements, sewer line extensions and replacements, and upgrades to the wastewater treatment facilities necessary to maintain quality service provision and environmental protection. Additionally, a new Service Building, incorporating laboratory, maintenance, and operational functions, was constructed in 1991. In 1993, construction was completed on a new Administration building designed to provide needed space and better community access. Since the retirement of the original debt in 1985, all of the improvements in the wastewater collection system and treatment plant, totaling millions of dollars, have been funded with cash derived from service charge rates.

In 1993 Oak Lodge Sanitary District expanded its role in the water resource management arena by undertaking development of a surface water management program. This new service was implemented as a result of federal Clean Water Act requirements regulating ‘non-point’ sources, and the need to resolve long term drainage and pollution problems. The program began with an existing system inventory and then progressed into development of a Surface Water Management Master Plan and program. Gradually, planning and program development has turned into implementation through regular system maintenance and new system construction. Operation and capital improvements are funded in both sanitary sewer and surface water management programs through service charge revenues.

Today, the District serves an estimated population of 32,000, which includes portions of the Cities of Gladstone and Milwaukie as well as unincorporated Clackamas County. The operations of the District are governed by an elected Board of Directors. In addition to complying with state and federal law and environmental regulations, the District utilizes a variety of committees, some standing and some created for specific purposes, to advise it in delivering a level of service that is consistent with community values.

OLSD Information: About Us