Sustainability Corner

Sustainability means using, developing and protecting resources to enable people to meet their current needs and also provide for future generations.
Oregon's Definition (May 2000)

Oak Lodge Sanitary District's water reclamation plant upgrade includes a variety of sustainable features (see below). The Sanitary Sewer System Community Advisory Committee encouraged and supported the development of these sustainable features.

Protecting the Willamette River

• Goes beyond current regulatory requirements; provides higher quality treated water in summer months.
• Eliminates ammonia from treated effluent.
• Reduces sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
• Improved treatment of micro contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
• Provides redundant capacity, equipment and power to fully meet state/federal requirements.

Sustainable Operations

• "Cannibal" process – extended aeration improves microcontaminant removal (e.g., pharmaceuticals); reduces biosolids by 75%. Truck trips to plant site decrease from one per week to one per month.
• Ultraviolet (UV) – light disinfection replaces chlorine gas.
• Carbon footprint reduced: plant will no longer produce methane.

Energy Savings

• Two-thirds of electrical power is used today for aeration; new turbo blowers will cut energy consumption in half compared to conventional blowers.
• Plant design also includes energy efficient pumps, motors and lighting.
• Nitrification/denitrification process reduces oxygen demand and power consumption.

Water Conservation

• Water reclamation plant reuses process water on-site for cleaning, irrigation.
• Site landscaping incorporates native plants and other low water species.
• Surplus trees donated to North Clackamas Parks & Recreation for transplanting off-site.

Surface Water Management

• Water quality features – swales, plantings to filter stormwater runoff – incorporated into site plan as demonstration area.
• Safe and sustainable pedestrian walkway along access road to Rivervilla Park features water quality swales.
• New planted buffer with Rivervilla Park replaces invasive species with healthy riparian vegetation.
  

Sustainable Construction Practices

• Water reclamation plant facilities and equipment will be reused whenever possible – past investments are not lost.
• Environmentally conscious contractor, Mortenson Construction, selected for project.
• Contractor’s management plan provides:
  • Construction waste minimization and recycling
  • Use of recycled/recyclable building materials
  • Energy and water saving measures

Sustainability Grants

• $100,000 Energy Trust grant to subsidize energy efficient project elements.
• $400,000 grant from PGE offsets costs for backup generator.