The Public Works Shop is located at 38890 SW 6th Avenue.
The Public Works department works diligently to provide water and sewer services to the citizens of Scio. They are also responsible for the maintenance of city owned streets. In addition, the city is required to assist the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to reduce the Total Maximum Daily Load of pollutants into Thomas Creek.
Water and Sewer System
Water System
The City relies on two groundwater wells located on the north side of town as the city’s drinking water source. The City of Scio has four designated well sites but relies on only two of the wells for the City’s water supply needs. The Two wells are capable of producing 790 gallons per minute combined. The city has one steel reservoir located to the south of town off of Hillside Way that holds 500,000 gallons of water that ensures adequate and required pressures and fire flows to the city. The reservoir and Well #4 were built in 1994 as part of the City’s last water system upgrade.
Water Quality Reports
The city tests the drinking water as per the State of Oregon requirements. The results of those tests are reported on an annual basis to the citizens through the mailing of the annual Water Quality Reports. The reports for the past few years may be accessed in the dropdown.
Sewer System
The sewer system works through gravity. It is the most shallow at the edges of town and deepest at the lift stations. The city has two lift stations, one is located at the pedestrian bridge on Beech Street and the other is in the Thomas Creek Estates subdivision. Effluent is pumped from the lift stations to the city’s lagoon system, where it is treated before being discharged into Thomas Creek. When storm water leaks into the sewer system it increases operating costs by increasing the volume of material that needs to be treated. The Public Works staff routinely tv’s the sewer pipes to continue maintenance of the sewer system.
The Wastewater Facilities Plan was updated January 2020.
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
The City has developed a plan to help reduce pollutants that are deposited into Thomas Creek from the city’s storm water program. The TMDL Plan includes street sweeping, cleaning catch basins, providing pet waste bags in city parks, and assisting with an annual cleanup day, among many others.
What can you do to help? One of the most practical things that a property owner can do who lives along a streambank like Thomas Creek is to plant vegetation to prevent erosion. A helpful resource is the Guide for Using Willamette Valley Native Plants Along Your Stream.
If you see possible pollution issues, please report them.
