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MWMC MEETING MINUTES
Friday,April 8,2022 at 7:30 a.m.
The MWMC Meeting was held remotely via computer,phone,and in-person.
Meeting was video recorded.
Commissioner Inge opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.Roll call was taken by Jolynn Barker.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present Remotely:Pat Farr,Walt Meyer,Joe Pishioneri,Jennifer Yeh
Commissioner Present In-Person:Bill Inge,Doug Keeler,Peter Ruffier
Staff Present Remotely:Meg Allocco,Steve Barnhardt,Mark Van Eeckhout,Shawn Krueger,Troy
McAllister,April Miller,Brooke Mossefin,Dori Palmer,Bryan Robinson,Kortney Scrivani,Loralyn Spiro,
Valerie Warner
Staff Present In-Person:Lou Allocco,Jolynn Barker,Katherine Bishop,Carrie Holmes,Barry Mays,James
McClendon,Todd Miller,Michelle Miranda,Matt Stouder,Greg Watkins
Guest Present Remotely:Josh Johnson (Brown &Caldwell)
Legal Counsel Present.Brian Millington (Thorp,Purdy,Jewett,Urness,&Wilkinson,PC)
CONSENT CALENDAR
a.MWMC Commission Meeting Minutes for March 11,2022.
MOTION:IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PISHIONERI WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER
KEELER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
7/0
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
FY2022-23 USER RATES.PUBLIC HEARING &ADOPTION
Katherine Bishop,Environmental Services Program Manager,presented a brief lookback at FY2022-23's
budget schedule and the Capital Budget five-year plan,and reminded the Commission of the Regional
Operating Budget.Ms.Bishop proposed a 3.5%rate change effective July 1,2022.Mobile waste hauler
rates will increase by 5%included within the July 1,2022,schedule of rates.The proposed rate increase
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 2 of 9
of 3.5%is in alignment with prior year projections.Rate projections are anticipating the upcoming
permit renewal.It is also expected that the sale of attributes associated with RNG project (environmental
attributes and brown gas)will bring in a revenue of approximately $1.5 million.Ms.Bishop requested the
Commission to conduct a Public Hearing and consider adoption of the proposed Schedule of Regional
Wastewater Sewer User Fees and Resolution 22-01.
Commissioner Ruffier asked if there has been an increase in public comments after the user rate
increase was written about in the Register-Guard.
James McClendon,Wastewater Division Director,said that at Eugene's public hearing,there was one
comment from the public about the impact on multi-family housing.
Commissioner Inge opened the floor to public comment about the FY 2022-23 rates.There was no
public comment.The public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Farr pointed out that the commission takes rate increases very seriously and considers
that the public does not have another option for wastewater service.He would like to thank the staff and
the Commission for making sure that the public is not saddled with unduly rate increases.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MEYER WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PISHIONERI TO
APPROVE RESOLUTION 22-01.THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 7/0
FY2022-23 WASTEWATER BUDGET &CIP PROGRAM.PUBLIC HEARING &ADOPTION
Katherine Bishop,Environmental Services Program Manager,requested the Commission holda public
hearing and consider adoption of Resolution 22-02 for the proposed Regional Wastewater Program
budget and Capital Improvement Project for fiscal year 2022-23.
Commissioner Inge opened the public hearing to consider comments and consider adoption of
Resolution 22-03 on the proposed Regional Wastewater Program Budget and Capital Improvements
Program for FY 2022-23.There was no public comment.The public hearing was closed.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KEELER WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER PISHIONERI TO
APPROVE RESOLUTION 22-02.THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 7/0
AERATION SYSTEMS UPGRADE DESIGN CONTRACT AWARD
Barry Mays,MWMC Design and Construction Coordinator,is asking the commission to approve
Resolution 22-03 in the matter of negotiating and executing a contract for design services and services
during construction with Brown and Caldwell for Aeration Systems Upgrade (P80113).This project is a
result of the Business Case Evaluation done during the aeration study.Three alternatives were offered by
the consultant.Alternative #1 is recommended.It includes a complete condition-based rehab project
and replacing transformers,adding a second Neuros blower,and other various electrical upgrades by
2026.Alternatives #2 and #3 also have a complete condition-based rehab project by 2026.Alternative #2
includes rebuilding and replacing the motor in the blowers and operating and maintaining existing
transformers and electrical systems.Alternative #3 has a complete replacement of transformers,second
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 3 of 9
Neuros blower and various electrical systems upgrades before 2030.A large part of the project will be
replacing instruments and actuators with an upgrade to PROFINET.Part of this upgrade includes
replacing the HVAC system in the Secondary Building.
Commissioner Ruffier asked Mr.Mays why the Motor Control Centers (MMC),given their age,are not
included in the replacement.
Mr.Mays replied that he did not know.
Mr.Mays said that the project also includes disaster mitigation with basin and Secondary Building
retrofits.The Distributed Control System (DCS)will be upgraded in 2024.
Commissioner Meyer asked if the seismic retrofit of the walls inside the aeration basin are included in
the project.
Mr.Mays answered that they are included in the project.
Commissioner Pishioneri asked about the cost of the alternatives.
Troy McAllister,MWMC Managing Engineer,presented the following chart for the cost estimating of the
three proposed alternatives
TableES-3.LifecycleCost Summaries.
CapitalCosts,2022 dollars *Average
annual
operating 20-year It
cost,2
dollarsb
fecycle
022Phase2
Years2027-
Phase3
Years2032-
Phase1
Years2022-Alternative Description Range cost.Total 2022202520302035
$20,927,000 $0 $5,065,000 $25,992,000 $29,200,000Lowrange
toturbo $10,130,000Estimate$32,022,000 $0 $42,152,000 $383,000 $50,400,000
Highrange $51,753,000 $0 $20,261,000 $72,014,000 $92,700,000
$10,126,000 $0 $16,573,000 $26,699,000 $29,600,000LowrangeUpgradetoturboblower
with basin
expansion
$27,695,000 $43,161,000Estimate$15,466,000 $0 $423,000 $50,300,000
Highrange $24,949,000 $0 $48,578,000 $73,527,000 $91,800,000
$9,420,000 $11,508,000 $5,065,000 $25,993,000 $30,000,000LowrangeUpgradetoturboblower$10,130,000 $42,152,000Estimate$14,457,000 $17,565,000 $410,000 $51,400,000
Highrange $23,435,000 $28,318,000 $20,261,000 $72,014,000 $94,200,000
Mr.McAllister said that the reason they are recommending Alternative 1 is because a lot of the upgrades
would get done in Phase 1 construction.Alternative 2 has more risk associated with it because older
equipment would be replaced in Phase 3 construction and some older parts are getting harder to
replace.Alternative 3 is three construction packages which will disrupt the plant's operations.
Commissioner Inge asked about the difference between the 4160 Voltage MCC and the 480.
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•
•
•
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 4 of 9
Josh Johnson,Brown and Caldwell consultant,answered that the plants main power comes in at a
higher voltage and Substation TU3 steps that down to 4160 volts which is considered medium voltage.
A lot of modern equipment,including the turbo blower that was installed,is on 480-volt power.So,in
order to run the newer blowers,4160 feed is then stepped down again to 480 volts.There is another
small transformer outside.The power from the substation goes into the building,out to the transformer,
then back inside to feed the turbo blowers.This was the interim solution to get the turbo blowers
installed.The 4160 volt blowers that are original to the plant are the only pieces of equipment with that
voltage.Modern equipment runs on a lower voltage.
Commissioner Keeler asked if there has been any integrity testing on piping and are they having a
greater incident of breakdowns and repairs of operable equipment.
Mr.Johnson replied that they have not done integrity testing of the piping,but it can be done as part of
predesign.A lot of the air piping that is set to be replaced is used for channel mixing which is the least
efficient use or air.The piping will be replaced with smaller pipes that will cost less.The actuators will
need to be replaced to upgrade to PROFINET.
Commissioner Meyer asked if the old blowers would not be useable anymore while being replaced for
Alternative 1.
Mr.Johnson replied it was originally envisioned that plant would retain at least one of the Hoffman
blowers as backup.Brown and Caldwell found that keeping Substation TU3 and the Hoffman blowers in
service is more costly than supplying a second new turbo blower.
Mr.McAllister listed the relevant Tech Memos from P80100's Business Case Evaluation:
Condition Assessment
Process Evaluation and Modeling
Channel Mixing Evaluation
Blower Evaluation
Thermal Load Mitigation
Mr.McAllister said that the anticipated schedule for P80113 would be Design and MWMC updates in
2022 and 2023.Construction bidding in early 2024 with construction going from 2024 to 2026.He is
asking for approval of Resolution 20-03 to finalize the consultant contract negotiations for a not-to-
exceed amount of $4.5 million (core and optional tasks).
Commissioner Pishioneri asked about the 20-year lifecycle costing about the same for all three
alternatives.They don't want to replace equipment before it needs to be,but he understands if waiting
could increase the cost.He wants to make sure that they are looking at the project from a fiduciary
responsibility as opposed to doing it just from a mechanical stance.
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 5 of 9
Mr.Johnson replied that those blowers are original to the plant,installed in 1984,and the standard
lifecycle assumption for that type of machinery is 25 years.
Mr.Mays added that he agreed with Commissioner Pishioneri and they did analysis on the equipment
and rated it.Ones that are to be replaced have rated poor which means they are still working but have
reached their end of life,had issues,or became obsolete.There are items that are reaching the end of
their lifecycle but are still operating so they will not be replaced.
Commissioner Meyer asked if they would incur a high demand charge from EWEB,like they do with the
current blowers.
Mr.Johnson said that initial high demand charge should be greatly reduced.
Commissioner Meyer asked if getting replacement parts for MCCs has been a problem.
Mr.Johnson replied that it is the case.When it comes to electrical systems,they are more concerned
with the ability to maintain it instead of the physical condition.
Commissioner Meyer asked if they are replacing the piping for the channel but not the primary.
Mr.Johnson replied that that is correct.
Commissioner Farr agrees with the staff recommendation.He would like to know if they have
considered changes in technology during the next 20-year lifecycle.
Mr.McAllister said that during design development they evaluate the technology.
Mr.Johnson added that PROFINET is a good example of this.PROFIBUS can still be used but the industry
is upgrading to PROFINET.
Commissioner Ruffier asked if the project includes an expansion into a third treatment train.
Mr.Johnson replied that it does not.A third treatment train is dependent on the demand and growth in
the service area.They do estimate that it would be needed between 2030 and 2035.Alternative 1,Phase
3 does include the third treatment train expansion.
Commissioner Ruffier noted that the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)and total suspended solids
(TSS)loads are higher than projected.He asked if there has been any analysis to what the cause of that
may be.
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 6 of 9
Mr.Johnson replied that do not know yet,but it is included in the early design scope.
Commissioner Keeler asked,if they are not doing any workin the four western-most aeration basins,
should they consider building sheer walls to protect them.
Mr.McAllister pointed out that easterly inner walls will be retrofitted for disaster mitigation.
Mr.Johnson added that the Disaster Mitigation Recovery Plan found the outer walls sufficient but there
is an issue with the divider walls in the active basins.
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER PISHIONERI WITH A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER FARR TO APPROVE
RESOLUTION 22-03.THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY 7/0
CLASS A RECYCLE WATER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Todd Miller,Environmental Services Supervisor and Barry Mays,MWMC Design and Construction
Coordinator,are in front of the commission to give an update on the Class A Recycled Water
Construction project.Mr.Miller said that the 100%design package is nearing completion and
construction bidding has been postponed to fall 2022.The design consultant for this project is Kennedy
Jenks.Cost reduction opportunities were explored but it was determined that any reduction in scale or
scope would not meet the project objectives.However,there is a potential for outside funding.They
have proceeded with 1.3 MGD facility design.This project stems from the 2004 Facilities Plan and
subsequent scoping for thermal load mitigation.Phase 2's feasibility recommendations found the need
to demonstrate Class A recycled water use under a non-temperature compliance framework as essential
to any long-term larger scale use.With Phase 3 plan development,the riparian shade credit program
was developed,and key recycled water partnerships were identified.They also considered indirect
discharge/storage options.The three demonstration uses -sand and gravel,street tree irrigation,and
WPCF irrigation uses -were identified for the significant value they provide in industry and local
economy,public greenspace and broad community outreach,and furthering MWMC's recognition as a
clean water leader.
Commissioner Inge asked what "advances permitting issues with DEQ"is.
Mr.Miller answered that during the feasibility study they discovered issues that would need to be
handled in permitting.For example,they found that runoff from equipment washing,dust control,and
wheel washing does not create enough runoff to the settling ponds to require a permit.However,full-
scale use for rock crushing and processing will create runoff to the settling ponds,which is currently
deemed an NPDES discharge,and we will work with DEQ on advancing the permitting requirements for
that so that it is not burdensome to the sand and gravel partners.
Mr.Miller discussed furthering regional One Water needs and goals.The MWMC Class A recycled water
program has been identified in several planning documents furthering community objectives.These are
usually drought mitigation efforts because of a setting trend aligned with long-term forecasts for
increasingly dry conditions and need for new water management strategies.
Commissioner Meyer asked if the recycled water plan is ready to be reviewed by DEQ so that it could be
heard at the same time as the permit.
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 7 of 9
Mr.Miller replied said no.DEQ is aware that the MWMC intends to implement Class A recycled water use
and that we are not ready to submit a recycled water use plan update for Class A until we know we are
going to proceed with the project and work out the operational conditions to be detailed in the recycled
water use plan.
Mr.Miller said that the water resource benefits include offsetting demand,EWEB and SUB's dependency
on river systems,and better retention of cooler freshwater instream during low flows.Recycled water
use also benefits temperature and other water quality,water rights restrictions,demand on drinking
water for irrigation,and groundwater overdraft.Because the demonstration phase of Class A use is not
compliance driven,they have more flexibility with the community first and then leveraging the
compliance benefits over long term.Mr.Miller listed the wastewater industry drivers that are moving
towards recycled water uses and they include NACWA,WateReuse Association,Oregon ACWA,and EPA.
The project looked thoroughly at existing infrastructure use.The existing infrastructure components
they confirmed usable for Class A Disinfection Facilities were Tertiary Filters,the High-Rate Chlorine
Contact Basin,and the West Bank Trail Pipelines which are all rarely used.New infrastructure includes
UV disinfection channel,pumps and piping,truck fill station,and electrical installation and logic controls.
Mr.Miller discussed the design cost estimates.At 90%design the low estimate is $6,090,000 with the
high being $7,370,000.This includes an additional 10%market uncertainty contingency.There is the
chance for outside funding opportunities from FEMA Natural Hazard Mitigation Grant,Clean Water State
Revolving Fund,Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grant,and FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure
and Communities Grant.They currently have one grant application in that could cover 75%of total
project costs.This month they will be applying to the state revolving fund.
Mr.Miller laid out the next steps in the project.This spring/summer will be design finalization.In fall
2022 is bid preparation and final grant submittals.Winter 2023 will have construction bidding and
contracting.Starting in spring 2023 will be construction and startup in summer/fall 2024.In tandem with
the bidding and construction process,the Recycled Water Advisory Network will be launched.This
group of community stakeholders and experts will advance community awareness and identification of
new community partners and uses for expansion of recycled water.
Commissioner Meyer asked how much confirmed demand for recycled Class A water exists.
Mr.Miller replied 0.65 MGD is the immediate demonstration use and it is easily expandable to 1.3 MGD.
Commissioner Meyer asked if the 0.65 MGD includes water being pumped to the biocycle farm.
Mr.Miller answered no,this is just Class A water system.
Commissioner Keeler wanted to clarify that the design cost estimates do not include construction.
Mr.Miller said yes that is correct.
Commissioner Ruffier asked if they have considered expanding the irrigation line along the bike path in
some local parks.
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 8 of 9
Mr.Miller replied that yes it was an alternative identified early on and City of Eugene is still interested in
using recycled water for irrigation.The intention of the demonstration phase with street tree irrigation is
to gain community and parks staff familiarity with recycled water use before investing in major
infrastructure upgrades for parks irrigation.
BUSINESS FROM COMMISSION
Commissioner Inge wanted to point out that the dollars discussed in the commission meeting are into
the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars.That fact cannot be lost in what is done by staff and it can't
be lost to the contingency of Eugene,Springfield,and Lane County.It is important that people
understand that these are big dollars being discussed on an ongoing and regular basis.
Commissioner Ruffier had some questions about the March Monthly Report.He noted that the
pretreatment report was completed and would like a copy of it.There were two sanitary overflows that
were of significant volume,and he would like more details about that.He also wanted to know if DEQ
responded to reports of the overflows.
Mr.McClendon said that they have been working with DEQ on those issues.The overflows stemmed
from a heavy storm.He has a warning letter and will be sending an update about this issue.There was a
robust discussion about the overflow being qualified as an upset offense and it was decided that it was
not.
Commissioner Farr wanted to know as they went forward with the RNG project how the local natural
gas companies assist.
Matt Stouder,MWMC General Manager,replied that NW Natural was a partner in the project the whole
way.
Commissioner Farr added that they are working with NW Natural to capture the methane from Short
Mountain Landfill.They are a good company to partner with.
BUSINESS FROM GENERAL MANAGER
Mr.Stouder spoke about how well the RNG ribbon cutting ceremony went.Everyone there represented
the MWMC and its partners well.He will be sending out pictures of the ceremony.
ACWA conference will not be happening this year,but the stormwater summit will be held in May.
Josi Rodriguez has left.The job posting went out today.
BUSINESS FROM WASTEWATER DIRECTOR
Mr.McClendon said that Dave Breitenstein's last day of work before retirement was April 1st.The
recruitment process for the new division director is underway with the second round of interviews
starting on April 22nd.
April 8,2022,MWMC Minutes
Page 9 of 9
March was the highest runtime to date for production of brown gas.
City of Eugene is moving forward with a new budget development process called Priority Based
Budgeting.This will transition the service programs from a one-year budget process to a two year.
The internal audit for EMS began in April and the external audit will being in May.This year is a partial
audit because last year was recertification.
He would like to acknowledge staff at wastewater division because the last two years throughout the
covid pandemic they've had a few retirements and people coming and going but he would like to
welcome some new staff like Kourtney Scrivani the new administrative specialist.
Commissioner Inge adjourned the meeting at 9:35am
______________________________________________________________________________
Metropolitan Wastewater
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE:May 5,2022
Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)
Matt Stouder,Executive Officer
Small Homes Systems Development Charges (SDCs)
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
ACTION
REQUESTED:Approve Resolution 22-04 for Small Homes SDCs
ISSUE
In 2018,pursuant to Resolution 18-09,the Commission established the Small House SDC Project to help
offset the costs of SDCs for small houses and budgeted $100,000 to be made available for the program.
Each year thereafter,the Commission has extended the project for one additional year.The SDC Small
House SDC Project will sunset on June 30,2022,unless extended by action of the Commission.
BACKGROUND
The Cities of Eugene and Springfield have both identified infill development and affordable housing as
priority community issues.The Commission has expressed a desire to support intergovernmental
cooperation on these issues and agreed to examine its SDCs for small houses in 2017.After a series of
conversations,the Commission determined that assessing small houses (800 square feet or smaller)at an
SDC rate consistent with the MWMC's existing multi-family rate would be justifiable and defensible.This
rate is currently $1,555.17,which is approximately $259.20 or 14%less than the rate for a standard
single-family dwelling unit.
In 2018,the Commission discussed developing a program that would allow the MWMC to offset SDCs on
behalf of applicants that meet certain criteria and eligibility requirements for small houses.The
Commission determined the program should mimic the actions of the local jurisdictions in a
proportionate manner to how the local jurisdiction imposes SDCs for small houses.Ultimately,the
Commission directed staff to establish the Small House SDC Project as a line item in the MWMC's budget
for an amount of $100,000.
At the end of FY 18-19,there were four (4)qualifying small houses that met the criteria set in place by
the Commission and were able to take advantage of the program.All four were located in Springfield.
This resulted in approximately $94,000 remaining unspent in the Project at the end of FY 18-19,and the
Year
# of Small
Homes Springfield Eugene Amount Remaining
FY 18-19 4 4 0
6,349.76
93,650.24
FY 19-20 18 8 10
27,866.12
65,784.12
FY 20-21 9 9 0
14,776.20
51,007.92
FY 21-22 12 12 0
19,564.64
31,443.28
Memo:Small Homes Systems Development Charges (SDCs)
May 5,2022
Page 2 of 3
Commission directed staff to extend the Project for one additional year.
At the end of FY19-20,there were nine (9)qualifying developments that met the criteria set in place by
the Commission.Eight (8)were located in Springfield and one (1)was located in Eugene.The Eugene
development was a qualifying group of small houses with a total regional wastewater SDC value of
$15,018.40.This resulted in approximately $65,500 remaining unspent in the Project at the end of FY19-
20,and the Commission directed staff to extend the Project for an additional year,with a sunset date of
June 30,2021 (or upon expenditure of the budgeted $100,000).
At the end of FY20-21,there were nine (9)qualifying developments that met the criteria set in place by
the Commission.All nine (9)were located in Springfield.This resulted in approximately $51,000
remaining unspent in the Project at the end of FY 20-21,and the Commission directed staff to extend
the Project for an additional year,with a sunset date of June 30,2022 (or upon expenditure of the
budgeted $100,000).
DISCUSSION
As of the time of this memo,there have been twelve (12)qualifying developments that have taken
advantage of the Small House SDC Project in FY 21-22.All twelve (12)are located in Springfield.It is likely
that there will be a few more qualifying developments prior to the end of FY 21-22 (June 30,2022).As of
5/1/22,there remains $31,433 of the original $100,000 allocated by the Commission available in the
Project.The table below shows the data by year,number of small homes,and amount of money
remaining in the program.
Should the Commission wish to extend the Project beyond the June 30,2022 date,it will need to take
action at the May 13,2022 meeting.Staff has taken the steps necessary to ensure this money is available
in the Regional Wastewater Program Budget if the Commission wishes to continue the Project.
Staff plans to discuss this issue with the Commission at the May 13,2022 Commission meeting,and will
provide an update with respect to the programs in place at the local jurisdiction level.Resolution 22-04
is attached (Attachment 1),which allows the Commission to extend the Small House SDC Project
through June 30,2023 if approved.
ACTION REQUESTED
Staff requests Commission input and direction regarding Resolution 22-04,and whether to extend the
Memo:Small Homes Systems Development Charges (SDCs)
May 5,2022
Page 3 of 3
SDC Small House Program for an additional year (or until the expenditure of funds)to June 30,2022.
ATTACHMENTS
1.Resolution 22-04
Metropolitan Wastewater
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METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 22-04 IN THE MATTER OF ALLOCATING RESOURCES
IN THE FY 22/23 REGIONAL WASTEWATER
PROGRAM BUDGET TO ASSIST IN THE
PAYMENT OF SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
CHARGES FOR SMALL HOUSES
WHEREAS,The Cities of Eugene and Springfield have identified increasing access to
affordable housing and infill development as a priority community issue;
WHEREAS,The MWMC has determined that supporting construction of small houses
aligns with the MWMC's Key Outcome #3 to support a "successful intergovernmental
partnership"with respect to affordable housing and infill development;
WHEREAS,The MWMC has determined a "Small House"is 800 square feet or less and the
resulting impact to the regional wastewater system from a Small House is proportionately less
than single family dwellings;
WHEREAS,The MWMC allocated $100,000 in the fiscal year 2018-19 budget to support
payment of Systems Development Charges for newly constructed Small Houses;
WHEREAS,The MWMC directed the MWMC Executive Director to continue to support
payment of Systems Development Charges for newly constructed Small Houses through fiscal
year 2021-22;
WHEREAS,$31,443 of the allocated $100,000 to support payment of Systems
Development Charges for newly constructed Small Houses remains unspent as of April 30,2022;
WHEREAS,the City of Eugene and the City of Springfield may incentivize the construction
of Small Houses through the reduction or payment of their respective System Development
Charges;
WHEREAS,the MWMC desires to support payment of Systems Development Charges for
Small Houses imposed by it in a comparable manner as the respective cities impose System
Development Charges on Small Houses during fiscal year 2022-23;
Attachment 1 -Resolution 22-04
Page 1 of 2
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
WHEREAS,The MWMC desires to have the Small House Systems Development Charges
(SDC)Project automatically expires on June 30,2023,or upon the expenditure of the budgeted
$31,443,whichever occurs first,unless the Commission elects to take action to extend it.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION THAT:
Matt Stouder,as the duly authorized Executive Officer of the MWMC,is hereby authorized
to:(a)create a budget item for the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget whereby the MWMC may
designate up to $31,443 to apply towards System Development Charges incurred by builders of
eligible Small Houses;(b)delegate to MWMC staff the criteria related to a structure's eligibility
for,and participation in,the Small House SDC Project in a manner that will apply compatably to
any Small House incentives for System Development Charges imposed by the respective city in
which the construction will occur;(c)delegate to MWMC staff the authority to regulate and
administer the Small House SDC Project to ensure only builders of eligible structures are allowed
to participate in the Small House SDC Project and to ensure compliance with the budget;and (d)
require the Small House SDC Project to automatically expire on June 30,2023,or upon the
expenditure of $31,443 whichever occurs first,unless the Commission elects to take action to
extend it.
ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD/EUGENE METROPOLITAN AREA ON THE 13TH DAY OF May 2022.
Joe Pishioneri,MWMC President
Approved as to form:
Brian Millington,MWMC Legal Counsel
Attest:
Jolynn Barker,MWMC Secretary
Resolution 22-04
Page 2 of 2
______________________________________________________________________________
Attachment 1
Page 1 of 2
METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 12-06 )IN THE MATTER OF CONTRACT AWARD FOR
MWMC PROJECT P80080 -ECOSYSTEM
RESTORATION AND REGULATORY CREDIT
SERVICES
)
)
)
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) has secured
funding for riparian shade sponsorship projects through Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan
agreement no. R64840;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) has followed
the procedures set forth in MWMC’s Procurement Rules, Section 137-047-0260;
WHEREAS, MWMC advertised an RFP for the Ecosystem Restoration and Regulatory Credit
Services - Riparian Shade Sponsorship contract on June 20, 2011;
WHEREAS, MWMC issued Addendum No. 1 on July 15, 2011, extending the due date for
Proposals to July 22, 2011;
WHEREAS, MWMC received proposals from two (2) respondents on July 22, 2011;
WHEREAS, an interagency evaluation committee comprised of members from the Springfield
Environmental Services Division, the Eugene Wastewater Division and a City of Springfield
representative for the Springfield Mill Race project (Evaluation Committee) evaluated the proposals
pursuant to the criteria in the RFP and applicable law and determined that The Freshwater Trust was
the highest-ranked responsive proposer;
WHEREAS, pursuant to MWMC Procurement Rule 137-047-0610, a notice of MWMC’s intent
to award the contract was issued to all proposers on August 12, 2011;
WHEREAS, pursuant to MWMC Rule 137-047-0740, the award of the contract became final
as no protest was received within seven (7) calendar days after the date of the notice of intent to
award the contract;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the RFP and MWMC Procurement Rules 137-047-0262
and 137-047-0600 if negotiations with the top rated responsive proposer are unsuccessful, MWMC
has the option to negotiate with the next highest rated responsive proposer(s); and
WHEREAS, MWMC has appointed Leonard J. Goodwin as its duly authorized Executive
Officer for efficient execution of the day-to-day administration of MWMC business.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION THAT:
Leonard J. Goodwin, as the duly authorized Executive Officer of the MWMC, is hereby
authorized to:
a) Designate qualified staff to negotiate with The Freshwater Trust regarding regulatory credit
services to be provided by The Freshwater Trust, on the condition that the parties can reach
an agreement on an ecosystem restoration and regulatory credit services contract for an
authorized amount not-to-exceed $650,000.
Attachment 1
Page 2 of 2
b)If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with The Freshwater Trust,terminate
negotiations with The Freshwater Trust and negotiate and execute a contract with the next
highest-ranked responsive proposer,not to exceed the authorized amount.
c)Delegate performance of project management functions including,but not limited to,issuance
of notices to proceed,and management of the contract to ensure deliverables and services
meet the contract requirements.
ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD/EUGENE METROPOLITAN AREA ON THE 11th DAY OF MAY 2012.
President,
ATTEST:
Secretary,Kevin Kraaz 22Approvedastoform^MWMC LegSfCounsel,G.David Jewett
METROPOLITANWASTEWATERMANAGEMENTCOMMISSIONRESOLUTION16-11)INTHEMATTEROFRENEGOTIATINGTHEEXISTINGCONTRACTWITHINCUMBENTCONTRACTORTHEFRESHWATERTRUSTFORMWMCPROJECTP80080-ECOSYSTEMRESTORATIONANDREGULATORYCREDITSERVICES))WHEREAS,inJune2011,theMetropolitanWastewaterManagementCommission(MWMC)issuedaRequestforProposalsfollowingtheCompetitiveSealedProposalsProcedureinaccordancewith137-047-0260oftheMWMC’sModelProcurementRuleswiththegoalofselectingaconsultanttoprovideEcosystemRestorationandRegulatoryCreditServices.WHEREAS,onJuly22,2011,theMWMCreceivedtwoproposalswhichwerereviewedbyaninteragencyevaluationcommitteecomprisedofmembersfromtheCityofSpringfieldEnvironmentalServicesDivision,CityofEugeneWastewaterDivision,andaCityofSpringfieldrepresentative.TheCommitteereviewedthecriteriaintheRFPandapplicablelawanddeterminedTheFreshwaterTrustwasthehighest-rankedresponsiveproposer;WHEREAS,onAugust12,2011theMWMCapprovedResolution11-08authorizingtheExecutiveOfficerorauthorizeddesigneetonegotiateandexecuteacontractwithTheFreshwaterTrustfortheprovisionofecosystemrestorationandregulatorycreditservices;WHEREAS,theMWMChasanopportunitytoparticipateinEWEB’s“PureWaterPartners”landowneroutreachandwatershedenhancementincentivesprogram.ThisprogramalignswithMWMC’sinterestinecosystemrestorationandshadecredits;WHEREAS,inorderfortheMWMCtodeterminethefullextentofthepotentialbenefitsitcouldderivefromtheEWEBprogramtheMWMCmustfirstresearchandanalyzetheEWEBprogram’sscopeofwork;WHEREAS,theMWMCdoesnothavethepersonnelonstafftoconducttheresearchananalysisneeded;WHEREAS,theMWMCiscurrentlyinacontractwithTheFreshwaterTrustforsimilarservicesastheMWMCneedstoperformtheresearchandanalysis;WHEREAS,MWMCRule137-047-0285RauthorizesaspecialprocurementprocedurewherebytheMWMCmayrenegotiateexistingcontractswithincumbentcontractorswithouttheneedtoengageinaformalprocurementprocessaslongascertaincriteriaaremet;WHEREAS,thecriteriatobemetpursuanttoMWMCRule137-047-0285Rare1)therenegotiatedcontractshallbeatleastasfavorabletotheMWMCastheoriginalcontract;2)therenegotiatedcontractshallbewithinthesamescopeofservicesastheoriginalcontract;and3)therenegotiatedcontractshallavoidencouragingfavoritismordiminishingcompetition.Page 1 of 2 Attachment 2...-.'.**^V%V•*t•-:i*.
Page 2 of 2 Attachment 2WHEREAS,theGeneralManagerhascomparedtheoriginalcontracttotheproposedrenegotiatedcontractconceptsanddeterminedthat1)therenegotiatedcontractisatleastasfavorabletotheMWMCastheoriginalcontract;2)therenegotiatedcontractiswithinthesamescopeofservicesastheoriginalcontract;and3)basedonresearchingthemarketnormforthesespecifictypesofservices,ithasbeenconfirmedthattherenegotiatedcontractfollowsthemarketnorm,andthatthemarketnormisnotlikelytoencouragefavoritismordiminishcompetition,andthereforebyenteringintotherenegotiatedcontractwithTheFreshwaterTrustitisunlikelythatfavoritismwillbeencouraged,itisunlikelythatcompetitionwillbediminished,anditispossiblethatsubstantialcostsavingsmayberealizedbecauseofatleastthefollowingfactors:theconsultantisintimatelyfamiliarwiththedesiredservices,i)ii)theexpertiserequiredfortheprojectexistswiththeconsultant,iii)theconsultanthasafavorablehistorywithotherprojectsfortheMWMC,andthepriorformalRFPprocessgeneratedinterestfromonlyoneotherproposerandthereforeitisunlikelyotherproposerswouldrespondtoanewformalRFPinthisinstance.iv)WHEREAS,theGeneralManagerhasdocumentedhisfindingslistedaboveintheprocurementfile;andNOW,THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDBYTHEMETROPOLITANWASTEWATERMANAGEMENTCOMMISSION:AnetteSpickard,asthedulyauthorizedExecutiveOfficeroftheMWMC,isherebyauthorizedto:(a)negotiateandexecuteanecosystemrestorationandregulatorycreditservicesrenewalcontractwithTheFreshwaterTrusttocontinueprovidingservicestotheMWMCregardingtheEWEBwatershedenhancementprojectforanauthorizedamountnottoexceed$79,575;and(b)executeamendmentstothecontractnottoexceedacumulativetotalof15%($11,936.25)oftheinitialpricefortheEWEBprojectcomponent,andensuredeliverablesandservicesmeettherenewalcontract.ADOPTEDBYTHEMETROPOLITANWASTEWATERMANAGEMENTCOMMISSIONOFTHESPRINGFIELD/EUGENEMETROPOLITANAREAONTHE12thDAYOFAUGUST2016.LPJ.LJo^Pishioneri,MWMCPresidentAttest:KevinKraazApprovedastoK.C.Huffman,MWMCTegalCounselResolution16-11Page2of2
METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
)IN THE MATTER OF AWARD OF CONTRACT
)TO THE FRESHWATER TRUST FOR
}CREDIT PROGRAM MANAGER SERVICES
)RELATED TO THE MWMC RIPARIAN SHADE
}CREDIT PROGRAM,PROJECT P80080
RESOLUTION NO.19-03
WHEREAS,the fiscal year 2018/2019 (FY18-19)capital improvement program includes
Riparian Shade Credit Program Project P80080;
WHEREAS,the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)intends to
approve additional funding for Project P80080 as part of the Supplemental Budget Request #3 for
the FY18-19 budget to include consultant fees described herein;
WHEREAS,the MWMC authorized Resolution 18-10 on June 8,2018 to enter into an
intergovernmental agreement (IGA)with the Eugene Water &Electric Board (EWEB)for the Pure
Water Partners collaborative;
WHEREAS,the IGA stipulates the MWMC will appoint a Credit Program Manager to
oversee implementation of water quality trading credits for riparian restoration performed via the
Pure Water Partners collaborative;
WHEREAS,the MWMC has followed the procedures for contract procurement set forth in
MWMC's Procurement Rule 137-048-0220(3);
WHEREAS,the MWMC advertised a request for qualifications (RFQ)on January 7,2019 for
Credit Program Manager services;
WHEREAS,the MWMC received one response to the RFQ from The Freshwater Trust on
January 28,2019;
WHEREAS,an inter-agency evaluation committee evaluated the response to the RFQ and
determined that The Freshwater Trust was the sole,qualified,responsive candidate with
satisfactory scoring;
WHEREAS,the MWMC issued a request for proposal (RFP)on February 4,2019 to The
Freshwater Trust as the qualified candidate for Credit Program Manager services;and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the requirements of the RFP,The Freshwater Trust submitted a fee
proposal to the MWMC on February 15,2019 for Phase 1 of Credit Program Manager services and
the fee proposal value was $193,063;
RESOLUTION 19-03
Page 1 of 2
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION:
The duly authorized MWMC executive officer (or authorized designee)is hereby
authorized to:(a)designate qualified staff to negotiate and execute a consultant services contract
with The Freshwater Trust for an authorized amount not-to-exceed (NTE)value of $193,063;and
(b)delegate performance of project manager functions including,but not limited to,issuance of
notices to proceed,contract amendments not to exceed a cumulative total of 15%of the initial
contract amount,and management of the contract to ensure deliverables and services meet the
contract requirements.
ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD/EUGENE METROPOLITAN AREA ON THE 8TH DAY OF MARCH 2019.
%President/Vrce=Prj£stdent:Douzj Kf’ele/'
ATTEST:
Secretary:Kevin Kraaz cJ>
Approved as to fornv^_
MWMC Legal Counsel:XCr+4«ffirran/Brian Millington
RESOLUTION 19-03
Page 2 of 2
Attachment 4
Metropolitan Wastewater
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
SPRINGFIELD—I
EES
partnersinwastewater management
METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 20-03 )IN THE MATTER OF CONTRACT
)AMENDMENT FOR CREDIT PROGRAM
)MANAGER SERVICES RELATED TO THE
)MWMC RIPARIAN SHADE CREDIT
)PROGRAM,PROJECT P80080
WHEREAS, the fiscal year 2019/2020 (FY19-20) capital improvement program includes
Riparian Shade Credit Program Project P80080;
WHEREAS, the Riparian Shade Credit Program Project P80080 FY 19-20 budget includes
approximately $45,000 of uncommitted funds;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) intends to
approve additional funding for Project P80080 as part of the FY 20-21 budget to include
contractor fees described herein;
WHEREAS, the MWMC authorized Resolution 19-03 on March 8, 2019 to enter into a
contract agreement with The Freshwater Trust for Credit Program Manager, Phase 1 services to
help develop the frameworks and costs of implementing the MWMC's riparian shade credit
program through the Pure Water Partners collaborative;
WHEREAS, the MWMC intends to proceed with Credit Program Manager,Phase 2 services
to implement riparian shade credits with The Freshwater Trust per the contract agreement
entered into pursuant to Resolution 19-03;
WHEREAS,The Freshwater Trust prepared a cost estimate on January 29, 2020 at the
request of the MWMC to initiate pilot implementation of Pure Water Partners riparian shade
credit projects on two sites, and after subsequent negotiation, estimated site initiation through
credit validation at a not-to-exceed cost of $250,000;
WHEREAS, implementation of the two pilot sites needs to commence in March 2020 to
meet the timeline of activities to be evaluated for effectiveness and efficiency for final program
recommendations in 2021;
WHEREAS, regional program staff recommends initiating the proposed pilot site projects
as Task 2A of The Freshwater Trust contract;
Resolution 20-03
Page 1 of 2
Attachment 4
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION:
The duly authorized MWMC executive officer (or authorized designee)is hereby
authorized to:(a)designate qualified staff to negotiate and execute a contract amendment with
The Freshwater Trust for Task 2A services at an authorized amount not-to-exceed (NTE)value of
$250,000;and (b)delegate performance of project manager functions including,but not limited
to,issuance of notices to proceed,additional amendments not to exceed a cumulative total of
15%($37,500)of the Task 2A amount,and management of the contract to ensure deliverables
and services meet the contract requirements.
ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF
THE SPRINGFIELD/EUGENE METROPOLITAN AREA ON THE 14th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2020.
MWMC Presidamr
ATTEST:fr&t )?/u j//\Secretary:Kevin Kraaz O r CApprovedastoform:
MWMC Legal Counsel:K.C.Huffnrtanf Brian Millinglui
Resolution 20-03
Page 2 of 2
Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission Capital Improvement Program
Page 60 FY 22-23 BUDGET AND CIP
WATER QUALITY TRADING PROGRAM (P80112)
Description: The MWMC Water Quality Trading Program secures regulatory credits for enhancing
water quality through watershed restoration. The program fulfills the objectives of the
MWMC Water Quality Trading Plan under the MWMC NPDES permit, which defines
the MWMC eligible trading area in the upper Willamette basin. The program is
implemented principally through the MWMC’s membership in the Pure Water Partners
collaborative via the MWMC’s contractor-provided Credit Program Manager services
and MWMC’s IGA with EWEB. Water quality trading credits comprise the MWMC’s
primary strategy for thermal load limit compliance and may provide ancillary future
water quality or carbon benefits.
Status: The MWMC with consultant help has developed a Water Quality Trading Plan for
NPDES permit compliance and has fully evaluated the credit capacity, effectiveness, and
scale of eligible lands in the upper Willamette basin. As of March 2019, the MWMC
procured The Freshwater Trust (www.thefreshwatertrust.org) as the MWMC Credit
Program Manager. As of January 2022, the MWMC has an active agreement with The
Freshwater Trust for initial Pure Water Partners implementation assistance and ongoing
maintenance of Sponsorship Pilot shade projects. Upon NPDES permit renewal (assume
2022) and implementation of the Water Quality Trading Plan, the MWMC will
implement the permit-compliance water quality trading program scope of work with The
Freshwater Trust.
Justification: The Water Quality Trading Program will help provide cost-effective strategies for most
of the thermal load compliance dates as required under the MWMC NPDES permit
renewal in 2022.
Project Driver: Implementation of updated temperature standard requirements in the MWMC’s renewed
NPDES permit (assume 2022), including pre-TMDL and TMDL thermal load limits.
Project Trigger: The NPDES permit renewal multi-year compliance schedule implementation in 2022
through 2027 and beyond.
Estimated Project Cost: $13 million (estimate 2022 to 2027)
Estimated Cash Flow: FY 22-23 = $3,000,000; FY 23-24 = $3,000,000; FY 24-25 = $2,500,000;
FY 25-26 = $2,500,000; FY 26-27 = $2,000,000
Expenditure/Category:
Prior
Years
2021-2022
Est. Act.2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 Total
Design/Construction $0 $0 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $13,000,000
Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total Cost $0 $0 $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $13,000,000
Attachment 5
Page 1 of 1
______________________________________________________________________________
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Resolution 22-05
Page 1 of 2
METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
RESOLUTION 22-05 ) IN THE MATTER OF AWARDING A CONTRACT
) FOR THE SALE OF GOODS/SERVICES WITHOUT
) COMPETITION AND THROUGH A SOLE-SOURCE
) PROCUREMENT
WHEREAS, the Oregon Revised Statutes and the MWMC Procurement Rules require that all
“public contracts” for goods and/or services be based upon competitive bids or proposals, unless an
exception applies.
WHEREAS, the Public Contracting Code defines a “public contract,” in pertinent part, as a “sale
or other disposal by a contracting agency of personal property.”
WHEREAS, an exception to the requirement for competitive bids or proposals is permitted
when the goods or services are “available only from one source.” Sole-source procurement must be
justified by “findings” pursuant to Oregon law. The following are those “findings.”
WHEREAS, the services are for use in a pilot or experimental project. MWMC has previously
entered into a series of contracts regarding the harvest of Management Unit 3 (“MU3”) at the Biocycle
Farm. As a part of this project, the MWMC set aside approximately 2% of the MU3 harvest to produce
poplar boards, resulting in production of approximately 70 thousand board feet (70 MBF) of boards
(the “Poplar Boards”), which the MWMC desires to provide to BRING Recycling in exchange for display,
sales, promotions, and connections to the local sustainable builder’s market. In addition, BRING
Recycling will collect key information from poplar sales regarding market prospects for future
Biocycle Farm harvests and will provide analytical information key to understanding the local poplar
supply and demand. Economic information collected from BRING Recycling will be used in the
arrangement of future poplar harvests.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION THAT:
1. The specific “findings of fact” set forth above are hereby adopted;
2. The “findings” show that award of the contract without competition and through a sole-
source procurement complies with the requirements of Oregon law, and the MWMC Procurement
Rule 137-047-0275, for sole-source procurements;
3. The duly authorized MWMC executive office (or authorized designee) is hereby authorized
to: (a) designate qualified staff to negotiate and execute a contract with BRING Recycling for the sale
Attachment 1
Resolution 22-05
Page 2 of 2
and marketing of the Poplar Boards and provision of services, as set forth above, and (b) delegate
performance of the project manager functions including, but not limited to, issuance of notices to
proceed, additional amendments consistent with the terms set forth herein, and management of the
contract to ensure deliverables and services meet the contract requirements.
ADOPTED BY THE METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION OF THE
SPRINGFIELD/EUGENE METROPOLITAN AREA ON THE 13TH DAY OF MAY 2022.
_____________________________________________
Joe Pishioneri, MWMC President
Approved as to form: ___________________________
Kristin Denmark, MWMC Legal Counsel
Attest: _______________________________________
Jolynn Barker, MWMC Secretary
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
Digital Signature:
Attachment 1
M E M O R A N D U M
_____________________________________________________________________
Metropolitan Wastewater
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
SPRINGFIELD‘S
partnersin wastewater management
DATE:May 5,2022
Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC)
April Miller,Communications Coordinator
Clean Water University Debrief
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
ACTION
REQUESTED:Informational Only
ISSUE
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,the delivery of Clean Water University (CWU)for the 2021-
2022 school year was again offered virtually.This decision was guided by feedback from
teachers that participating in an in-person event would be challenging due to COVID-19
safety requirements for schools from the State of Oregon.Additionally,school administrations
locally were restricting off-campus field trips.
This memo includes details on how the Communications Team modified the in-person
activities to an online setting for a second year.At the May 13,2022 Commission meeting,a
presentation will be provided that will share the content and outcomes of the program for
the 2021-2022 school year.
BACKGROUND
CWU began as a stormwater-focused educational program run by the City of Springfield in
2011.Since that time,it has evolved into a program that has been supported by the
Commission and included curriculum about wastewater.Originally,CWU had been offered
only in the Springfield School District because of the time commitment required of staff and
the resources required to deliver the curriculum.The program structure was three in-class
sessions taught by staff and then a tour and "graduation"at the treatment plant.
In 2018,staff changed the delivery format of CWU to involve additional students in the
program (including those in the Eugene and Bethel areas),while not increasing the resources
needed to deliver the program.This was based on feedback from the Commission,as well as
teachers who participated in CWU.On September 26 &27,2018,the first field trip based
Clean Water University occurred and was successfully delivered with 10 schools participating.
•
•
Memo:Clean Water University Debrief
April 28,2022
Page 2 of 3
Staff received very positive feedback and implemented several ideas received afterward.
Based on the feedback,staff continued the in-person event in fall 2019.
Staff had planned to continue the in-person event in fall 2020 and fall 2021 as well.However,
due to COVID-19,the State's guidance of virtual learning for students,and State and local
guidance on COVID-19 safety requirements for schools once they did return to in-person
learning,the delivery of CWU had to be shifted to online for both the 2020-2021 and 2021-
2022 school years.
DISCUSSION
Preparing Online Content
In fall 2020,staff prepared an online offering of CWU,reviewing and prepping content that
had been used previously for CWU both when offered in-class and as an in-person field trip.
Staff identified how resources could be modified to online delivery and gaps where content
would need to be built out to cover the content offered in the activity booths during the in-
person event.Staff produced two new videos,one focused on Macroinvertebrates and a
second focused on Microorganisms,as well as created a Teachers'Guide for the curriculum.
For the 2021-2022 school year,staff utilized the content that had been created the previous
school year,with a few updates and additions to the curriculum.An updated version of the
Teachers'Guide was created (Attachment 1)to help teachers implement the content into
their lesson plans.The guide provides an overview of each lesson with learning outcomes,key
words,teaching points,procedures,and materials.
Additionally,a few supplemental materials and activities were added to the curriculum,
including a newly created Wastewater Bingo game and a virtual field trip to the MWMC's
regional wastewater treatment plant that was provided to the Eugene District Librarian and
then posted on YouTube.
To encourage teachers to participate in CWU and support science learning,two incentives
were again offered for the CWU Program this school year:
School STEM Program Donation -As a thank you for incorporating Clean Water
University into class curriculum and to further science,technology,engineering,and
math education in the Eugene-Springfield area,the MWMC is donating $500 to each
participating school's STEM or science program.
Class Drawing for Eugene Science Center Memberships -In addition to the school
STEM program donation,participating classes will be entered into a drawing for all
students in the class to receive a membership to the Eugene Science Center for one
adult and one child (a $50 value).This will give the students and a parent/guardian
free admission to Eugene Science Center exhibits and to Planetarium stargazing
shows for an entire year.
Memo:Clean Water University Debrief
April 28,2022
Page 3 of 3
Online Details
From September 1,2021 through April 30,2022,the online format ofCWU was held.With the
consideration of COVID-19 and the challenges it has brought for both virtual and in-person
learning,staff decided to give teachers nearly the entire school year to work the curriculum
into their lesson plans at their own pace.Nine schools and more than 400 students
participated in the online version of CWU.
Prior to the start of the online offering of CWU,staff reached out to all fifth-grade teachers in
the Bethel,Eugene,and Springfield School Districts to share information about the purpose of
CWU and invited them to participate.A Teacher Information Session was held via Zoom in
October for teachers to ask questions and learn more.Of the nine schools that participated,
five schools were from Springfield School District,three schools from Eugene School District
4J,plus one private school located in Eugene.
Feedback
To capture feedback,staff sent participating teachers a survey via SurveyMonkey to ask
specific questions about the program content,as well as their interest in participating in the
program in the 2022-2023 school year.Feedback received from the teachers was very
positive.Several expressed they and their students found the lessons engaging and fun,and
that they appreciated how the program connects big concepts in science with our own
community and environment.All teachers expressed interest in participating again either in-
person or through the online content and rated the virtual program as either good or
excellent.Teachers expressed appreciation for the incentive programs and the support for
science learning.
Next Steps
Staff intends to offer the in-person event in the fall of 2022,barring any COVID-19 guidance
that would prevent an in-person field trip.Additionally,staff plans to continue to offer the
online version ofCWU with two objectives in mind:first,to pair with the in-person offering of
CWU,and second,to encourage schools to participate if the in-person event cannot be
offered or they cannot participate for another reason.Regardless of the format CWU is
offered,the overarching goal of the program remains the same:to teach students about the
importance of clean water.
ACTION REQUESTED
This memo is informational.No specific action is requested at this time.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Teacher's Guide
1
2021-2022 Teachers’ Guide
cleanwateruniversity
Adventures in stormwater,
drinking water, and wastewater.
SPRINGFIELD —|
wecleanWATER
2
Introduction & Table of Contents
Welcome to Clean Water University, Virtual Edition!
Welcome to the Clean Water University (CWU) Teachers’ Guide for the 2021-2022 school year! The City of
Springfield, City of Eugene, and Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) are proud
to offer this program to 5th grade classes in the Eugene-Springfield area free of charge. Traditionally held
in person in the fall at the MWMC’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, CWU provides an opportunity to
learn about wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water. Though we shifted to a virtual curriculum offering
this school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the overarching goal of the program remains the same: to
teach students about the importance of clean water.
We know teaching in a virtual environment has proven challenging for many, and our goal with this
Teachers’ Guide is to make CWU as easy to implement into your existing lesson plans as possible. Outlined
below and on the following pages, you’ll find curriculum on a variety of topics pertaining to clean water
with links to videos, activities, and worksheets on the City of Springfield’s website. Move through them at
whatever pace works best for you and your virtual classroom. Thank you for your participation and enjoy!
Clean Water University Curriculum Contents
Incentive Program.......................................................................................................................................................................Page 3
Lesson 1: Water Cycle.................................................................................................................................................................Page 4
Lesson 2: Drinking Water..........................................................................................................................................................Page 5
Lesson 3: Water Quality.............................................................................................................................................................Page 6
Lesson 4: Macroinvertebrates.................................................................................................................................................Page 7
Lesson 5: Wastewater Treatment...........................................................................................................................................Page 8
Lesson 6: Microorganisms........................................................................................................................................................Page 9
Lesson 7: Pollution Prevention.............................................................................................................................................Page 10
Lesson 8: Sustainability...........................................................................................................................................................Page 11
Lesson 9: Wrap-Up Jeopardy Game...................................................................................................................................Page 12
Conclusions.................................................................................................................................................................................Page 13
3
As a thank you for incorporating Clean Water University into your curriculum and to further science,
technology, engineering, and math education in the Eugene-Springfield area, the MWMC will donate $500
to each participating school’s STEM program. To ensure this funding is sent to your school, simply confirm
participation in Clean Water University with April Miller, City of Springfield/MWMC Communications
Coordinator, at anmiller@springfield-or.gov. The MWMC will then coordinate with your school district’s
Finance Department to send those funds to your specific school and designate them for your STEM
program. If your school doesn’t have an official STEM program, the donation can go toward your science
curriculum supplies, such as microscopes or other equipment.
Incentive Information
School STEM Program Donation
Class Drawing: Eugene Science Center Memberships
In addition to the school STEM program donation, participating classes will be entered into a drawing for
all students in the class to receive a membership to the Eugene Science Center for one adult and one child
(a $50 value!). This will give the students and a parent/guardian free admission to Eugene Science Center
exhibits and to Planetarium stargazing shows for an entire year! Memberships also include discounts on a
variety of the Science Center’s other offerings. To learn more, visit https://eugenesciencecenter.org/support/
membership.
To enter your class in the drawing, submit proof of your class’s participation (can be a student’s Micro Story
Assignment, a screenshot of you leading your class in a game of Jeopardy, etc.) to anmiller@springfield-or.
gov. The winning classes will be announced in May 2022, and those teachers will then receive instructions
for distributing the memberships to students/parents. Good luck!
SCIENCECENTER
4
Lesson 1: Water Cycle
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the water cycle and learn
about the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the
surface of the earth. They’ll learn about the various phases of the water
cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and absorption.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Explain where water comes from.
• Identify the various stages of the water cycle.
• Recognize water as an essential resource.
Teaching Points
• Water is essential to all life. Without it, humans, animals, and plants couldn’t survive.
• All water moves continuously and is recycled over and over again. The same water we use today has been
here for billions of years - that means the water you drink could be the same water thirsty dinosaurs were
drinking 65 million years ago! It’s also the only water we’ll ever have in the future.
• While water hasn’t changed much over billions of years, what does change is the stage of the water cycle
that it’s in. The four main stages of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.
Procedures/Materials
1. Start by asking students where they think their water comes from when they take a bath or shower, wash
their hands, or do the dishes.
2. Play the Water and You: The Water Cycle video from American Water on YouTube to give students an
overview of the water cycle.
3. Take a look at the Water Cycle Diagram handout from the U.S. Geological Survey together as a class. Identify
the various stages of the water cycle that were explained in the video.
4. To close the lesson, have students complete the Water Cycle Word Search.
Key Words
Graphic Credit: Vecteezy.com
Water Cycle
Water Droplet
Water Vapor
Surface Water
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Runoff
Absorption
Aquifer
5
Lesson 2: Drinking Water
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn where their drinking water comes from,
how it’s cleaned, and the tools used to transport the water to the faucets
in their homes. They’ll be introduced to the various steps in the process of
cleaning drinking water to ensure high water quality.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Explain how drinking water gets to their home.
• Identify various sources of drinking water.
• Recognize that water must be properly cleaned to rid it of
pollutants before it can become drinking water.
Key Words
Drinking Water
Water Quality
Fresh Water
Ground Water
Aquifer
Flocculation
Clarification
Filtration
Disinfection
Chlorine
Ozone
Pipes
Pumps
Teaching Points
• All humans and animals must consume water in order to survive. On average, 9-13 year olds should drink
about 7-9 cups of water per day to stay hydrated.
• Though 71% of earth’s surface is water, only 0.3% of that water is usable by humans. The other 99.7% is in
the oceans, soils, icecaps, and floating in the atmosphere. That’s why it’s important that we take good care of
the fresh water that we can use!
• Most of the water used by humans comes from rivers and aquifers, or water stored underground.
• In Eugene, drinking water comes from the McKenzie River. In Springfield, drinking water comes from a large
aquifer under the City and from the Middle Fork Willamette River.
• Before water from these sources can become drinking water, it has to be cleaned to remove bacteria, viruses,
and micro-pollutants. Then water quality tests are conducted to make sure the water is safe to drink.
• In Eugene and Springfield, the two organizations that clean our drinking water are the Eugene Water &
Electric Board (EWEB) and Springfield Utility Board (SUB). They do such a good job that what comes out of
our faucets is often even cleaner than what the State of Oregon and U.S. government require!
• After it’s treated, drinking water is transported to homes and businesses through a system of pumps and
underground pipes throughout the region.
Procedures/Materials
1. Ask students where they think their drinking water comes from and how it gets to the faucets in their home.
2. Play the Water and You: The Drinking Water Treatment Process video from American Water on YouTube to
introduce students to the sources of drinking water and the process of cleaning it.
3. Have students complete the Drinking Water Word Search to become more familiar with key words
associated with the drinking water treatment process and pollutants that can affect our water sources.
4. If time allows, visit either the Eugene Water & Electric Board or Springfield Utility Board website at eweb.org
or subutil.com to learn more their treatment processes and water quality standards.
6
Lesson 3: Water Quality
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes Key Words
Water Quality
Water Testing
Laboratory
Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen
Phosphates
Nitrates
Temperature
pH
Stormwater
Runoff
In this lesson, students will learn about the various measures that affect
the quality of water in our rivers and streams. They’ll also learn about
stormwater runoff and how it can impact that water quality.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Identify the key measures that help us determine the health
of a river, stream, or lake.
• Explain why high levels of water quality are important to
human and animal life.
• Recognize the role stormwater plays in the quality of
our local waterways.
Teaching Points
• Water is essential to human, animal, and plant life. As we learned in the previous lesson, only 0.3% of the
earth’s water is usable by humans, and most of the fresh water we can use above the ground comes from
rivers and streams. That’s why it’s important that we take good care of our rivers and maintain high water
quality for human use, outdoor recreation, and aquatic life.
• Some of the key measures that help determine water quality are turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients,
temperature, and pH. More on each of these points is covered in the Water Quality Lecture Notes document.
• Stormwater is water that falls to earth’s surface as rain or snow. We get quite a bit of rain here in the Eugene-
Springfield area - about 47 inches per year! When it rains, that water flows over streets, rooftops, driveways,
and lawns as runoff. Runoff flows into storm drains, which connect to local waterways that eventually lead to
the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers.
• As the runoff flows across the ground, it picks up pollutants from things like litter, fertilizers, fluids used to
maintain cars, and pet waste. Since stormwater isn’t treated the way drinking water and wastewater are,
these pollutants can end up in our local waterways. It’s important we keep pollutant levels in stormwater
runoff to a minimum.
• There are some simple actions community members like you and your family can take to help us keep our
water clean from street to stream! These include scooping your pet’s poop, picking up litter, avoiding use of
certain chemicals and fertilizers, and fixing leaking cars.
Procedures/Materials
1. Go over the water quality measures defined in the Water Quality Lecture Notes document.
2. Have students complete the Water Quality Prep Worksheet, where they’ll answer questions based on defined
key words at the top of the page. Discuss the answers of the worksheet on the Water Quality Prep Answer
Key, explaining the turbidity, dissolved oxygen, phosphates, nitrates, temperature, and pH of the McKenzie
River. Ask students how close their guesses about the McKenzie River were to the actual numbers.
3. Open the “Only Rain Down the Drain” Interactive Game. Play together as a class, allowing for group
discussion between each question before answering.
4. If time allows, visit the City of Springfield or City of Eugene’s Stormwater webpages to learn more about
what each of the cities do to protect our local waterways.
7
• Water is essential to human, animal, and plant life. As we learned in the previous lesson, only 0.3% of the
earth’s water is usable by humans, and most of the fresh water we can use above the ground comes from
rivers and streams. That’s why it’s important that we take good care of our rivers and maintain high water
quality for human use, outdoor recreation, and aquatic life.
• Some of the key measures that help determine water quality are turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients,
temperature, and pH. More on each of these points is covered in the Water Quality Lecture Notes document.
• Stormwater is water that falls to earth’s surface as rain or snow. We get quite a bit of rain here in the Eugene-
Springfield area - about 47 inches per year! When it rains, that water flows over streets, rooftops, driveways,
and lawns as runoff. Runoff flows into storm drains, which connect to local waterways that eventually lead to
the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers.
• As the runoff flows across the ground, it picks up pollutants from things like litter, fertilizers, fluids used to
maintain cars, and pet waste. Since stormwater isn’t treated the way drinking water and wastewater are,
these pollutants can end up in our local waterways. It’s important we keep pollutant levels in stormwater
runoff to a minimum.
• There are some simple actions community members like you and your family can take to help us keep our
water clean from street to stream! These include scooping your pet’s poop, picking up litter, avoiding use of
certain chemicals and fertilizers, and fixing leaking cars.
Lesson 4: Macroinvertebrates
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about aquatic macroinvertebrates, their
place in the food web, and the importance of clean water to their survival
- and ultimately the survival of their predators. They’ll learn about the
different bugs prevalent in our area’s waterways.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Define a macroinvertebrate and recognize their important
role in the food web.
• Explain the connection between clean water and the food web.
• Identify some common macroinvertebrates such as
mayflies, dragonflies, and aquatic earthworms.
Key Words
Aquatic
Macroinvertebrate
Metamorphosis
Larva
Nymph
Life Cycle
Food Web
Teaching Points
• Aquatic macroinvertebrates are water bugs (aquatic) that are visible to the naked eye (macro) and don’t
have a spine (invertebrates). These insects are an important part of the food web in our area’s waterways.
They are prey to fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals.
• Some examples of macroinvertebrates are mayflies, dragonflies, damselflies, scud, aquatic earthworms,
aquatic beetles, snails, water boatman, backswimmers, and caddisflies. (Each of these insects is shown in
detail in the Macros Guide document.)
• Just like us, maroinvertebrates require clean water to survive. No clean water would mean no
macroinvertebrates, which in turn would mean trouble for the fish and frogs that eat macroinvertebrates. All
living things require water, and a lack of clean water can disrupt the food web.
• In order to protect macroinvertebrates and the food web in our local waterways, it’s important to take good
care of our rivers and streams.
Procedures/Materials
1. Ask students if they have spotted any insects near the Willamette or McKenzie Rivers and if they know what
kinds of insects they have seen.
2. Play the CWU: Macroinvertebrates video to give students an overview of these bugs, where they’re found,
and why they’re important to our local environment.
3. Open the CWU Macros Guide document and go through the photos of each of the macroinvertebrates.
Have students refer to their Macroinvertebrates Overview handout and discuss the life cycle of a mayfly. Ask
students if, after watching the video and viewing close-up images of these bugs, they now recognize insects
they’ve seen near the Willamette or McKenzie Rivers.
4. Have students access their printed Aquatic Life in our Local Waterways Coloring Books and color in outlines
of the different macros. If time allows, ask for volunteers to share their favorite colored-in bug and present
one fact they learned during today’s lesson.
8
Lesson 5: Wastewater Treatment
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about where their dirty water goes after
they flush the toilet, wash the dishes, or take a shower. They’ll learn about
the underground pipe system that takes water from their home to the
Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, the steps that are taken to clean
wastewater, and that all cleaned water is returned to the Willamette River.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Explain where their wastewater goes to be cleaned.
• Explain why effectively cleaning wastewater helps to protect our
community’s health and local environment.
• Identify the key steps in the wastewater treatment process.
Key Words
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Pump Station
Pipes
Influent
Effluent
Clarifiers
Aeration Basins
Disinfection
Laboratory Testing
Teaching Points
• As wastewater goes down the drain, it enters into a system of pipes underground. Large pumps help to
move the wastewater through the pipes to the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission’s, or
MWMC’s, Wastewater Treatment Plant. The MWMC is a partnership of the Cities of Eugene and Springfield,
along with Lane County, and cleans wastewater for the whole region - about 35 million gallons of it every
day (that’s 106 Olympic-size pools)!
• Once wastewater arrives at the treatment plant, it goes through a series of different treatment processes
over about 24 hours before it is ultimately returned to the Willamette River. The three main stages of
wastewater treatment are physical, biological, and chemical. The different treatment processes we use
remove large and small solids from the wastewater, along with bacteria and other pollutants. We’ll learn
more about those different processes in the Wastewater Treatment video.
• Cleaning water thoroughly is very important in keeping our community safe, while also protecting our local
environment. The Willamette River is a popular spot for activities like kayaking and swimming. We want to
keep it clean so people in the community can continue to enjoy our beautiful river. Additionally, aquatic life
needs clean water to survive! By cleaning wastewater, we’re helping to protect a variety of animals in the
food web. Water is a limited resource and cleaning dirty water ensures we aren’t wasting it.
Procedures/Materials
1. Play the MWMC Wastewater Treatment video to give students an overview of the process.
2. Have students access their Wastewater Treatment Process Maze handout and complete the maze to connect
the water droplet to the river.
3. Play a game of Wastewater Bingo using the MWMC Bingo boards. Distribute a Wastewater Bingo Board to
each student (boards will need to be printed and cut). Every card has the same 24 phrases, just in a different
order. Using the Questions & Answers sheet, read the description for each and have students mark out the
answer on their board. Prior to moving on to the next description, ask for volunteers to share the correct
answer. The first person(s) to mark off five phrases in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, wins.
4. Have students access their Wastewater Wise worksheet. Explain that students will track their water usage
over a 24-hour period to see just how much water they use. They’ll then brainstorm three ways they could
reduce their water usage. Have the class reconvene a few days later and discuss the ideas they came up with.
9
Lesson 6: Microorganisms
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about the good bacteria, or
microorganisms, that play a key role in the wastewater treatment process.
They’ll learn how these small bugs make a big impact in the overall
biological health of wastewater.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Define a microorganism.
• Explain the role microorganisms play in the wastewater
treatment process.
• Identify some of the common microorganisms present in the
biological treatment of wastewater.
Key Words
Microorganism
Good Bacteria
Biological Treatment
Aeration Basins
Secondary Clarifiers
Oxidation
Organic Matter
Teaching Points
• Microorganisms are organisms that are so small they can only be seen with a microscope.
• Microorganisms play an important role in the biological treatment of wastewater at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant. The good bacteria, or good bugs as we like to call them, are mixed with incoming
wastewater in the aeration basins. They’re called aeration basins because we pump air, or oxygen, into
the basins through a process called oxidation. If a person tried to swim in an aeration basin, they couldn’t
because there is so much air they would sink to the bottom! Adding this oxygen into the water helps to
break down any remaining solids, or pollutants, in the water.
• As the pollutants remaining in the water are breaking down, the microorganisms eat them out of the water.
These good bugs get fat and heavy, settling to the bottom of the secondary clarifiers to take a quick rest
before they go back into the aeration basins to eat more solids.
• The ideal age for bacteria in the aeration basins is five days. The presence of the right amount of
microorganisms is an important indicator that the wastewater is being properly treated.
Procedures/Materials
1. Play the CWU: Microorganisms video to give students an overview of the role microorganisms play in the
wastewater treatment process.
2. Open the CWU Microorganisms Field Guide document and show students the photos illustrating each of
the micros. Zoom in on each of the magnifying glasses in the document to take a closer look at examples of
protozoa, bacteria, and metazoa.
3. Leaving the Microorganisms Field Guide document open, have students access their Tell a Micro Story
worksheet. For this activity, they’ll select a micro from the document, give it a name, draw a picture of it, and
tell their micro’s story. If time allows, have volunteers share their work.
Graphic Credit: Vecteezy.com
10
Lesson 7: Pollution Prevention
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about the pollutants that can affect
our wastewater collection system, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and
ultimately, our local waterways. They’ll learn about everyday actions they
can take to make a difference in the pollution prevention effort.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Recognize the importance of preventing pollution from entering
the wastewater collection system.
• Identify actions that community members can take to prevent
pollution, such as keeping trash out of the toilet.
• Explain what happens to pollutants when they are flushed/
poured down the drain.
Key Words
Pollution
FOG (Fats, Oils, &
Grease)
Toilet
“Flushable” Wipes
Pipes
Clog
Backups
Waste
Environment
Source Reduction
Teaching Points
• About 99.9% of what comes into the Wastewater Treatment Plant is water and 0.1% is pollutants. The
MWMC’s treatment processes remove more than 97.5% of solids. The best way to remove pollutants from
water though is to prevent them from entering the wastewater system in the first place! That’s what we refer
to as source reduction, or reducing pollutants at the source (toilet, drain, etc.).
• Some common pollutants that we have to physically remove from wastewater at the treatment plant are
fats, oils, grease, “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, car fluids, fertilizers, paints, medications,
plastics, and hygiene products. After solids are removed from wastewater, they are ground up and then
taken over to the landfill. Since these materials will end up having to be trashed anyway, it’s best to dispose
of them properly rather than send them down the drain.
• Fats, oils, and grease can cause a lot of issues if poured down the drain for both families and the entire
community. These materials harden in wastewater pipes and can cause clogs, which are often expensive to
fix. Instead of pouring fats, oils, and grease down the kitchen sink, try pouring them in a can, waiting until
they harden, and then throwing the can away in the trash.
• Items like “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, and paper towels can also cause clogs in pipes. These items aren’t
designed to dissolve in water the way toilet paper is, so they can get stuck in pipes and pumps, leading to
blockages and backups. Remember, the toilet is not a trash can! The only things that should be flushed are
the three Ps - pee, poop, and (toilet) paper.
• Taking simple steps like these can make a big difference in protecting our local waterways.
Procedures/Materials
1. Play the MWMC Pollution Prevention video to give students an overview of the pollutants that often enter
the wastewater collection system and the actions we can take to prevent them.
2. Have a class discussion about what students can do to prevent pollution based on the video.
3. Have students access the Flush With Care handout, where they’ll unscramble key words pertaining to
pollution prevention.
4. If time allows, visit the MWMC’s Pollution Prevention webpage to learn more.
11
Lesson 8: Sustainability
Overview & Key Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, students will learn about the Metropolitan Wastewater
Management Commission’s efforts to sustainably manage its
resources, benefitting both the community it serves and the
environment it protects. They’ll learn about byproducts of the
wastewater treatment process like biosolids and recycled water that
are reused to help poplar trees on our Biocycle Farm grow.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
• Explain the benefits of sustainability efforts in protecting
our local environment.
• Identify the byproducts of the wastewater treatment
process that the MWMC beneficially reuses: biosolids,
recycled water, and renewable natural gas.
• Recognize that the Biocycle Farm uses waste to produce
wood, a renewable resource for our community.
Key Words
Sustainability
Recycling
Beneficial Reuse
Natural Resources
Renewable
Non-Renewable
Byproduct
Recycled Water
Biosolids
Biocycle Farm
Poplar Tree
Renewable Natural Gas
Fossil Fuels
Waste
Teaching Points
• As we learned during our Wastewater Treatment lesson, the MWMC cleans water for the Eugene-Springfield
area. They strive to do so in a sustainable way. Sustainability is the act of taking good care of the resources
we have and reducing waste.
• One example of sustainability in action is the MWMC’s use of biosolids on its poplar tree farm. Human
waste is a natural part of everyday life, and it has to be removed from wastewater during the treatment
process. Rather than trashing solids in the landfill, the MWMC transports them underground to the Biosolids
Management Facility, where they’re turned into a safe fertilizer.
• That fertilizer helps poplar trees on the MWMC’s Biocycle Poplar Farm grow. It’s also applied on grass farms
to help local farmers. After the poplar trees grow for about 12 years, they’re harvested and turned into
plywood, wood chips, and other wood products that are sold in the community.
• The MWMC uses recycled water, or treated wastewater, to irrigate the poplar trees, along with landscaping
at the treatment plant. This allows us to save our drinking water and recycle water we already have!
• Another example of the MWMC’s sustainability efforts is the reuse of energy produced during the
wastewater treatment process. The MWMC is currently working on an exciting project to convert this energy
into renewable natural gas, which will be used as a clean fuel for cars. This will help to reduce the amount of
gasoline we’re using that’s made from non-renewable, or limited, natural resources.
Procedures/Materials
1. Play the MWMC Sustainability video to give an overview of the MWMC’s sustainability efforts.
2. Have students complete their Waste to Wood worksheet, where they’ll fill in missing key words using a word
bank to tell the story of biosolids and recycled water being used on the poplar farm. Go over the answers on
the Waste to Wood Answer Key.
3. Ask students what sustainability means to them and what ideas they have for reducing waste.
4. If time allows, visit the MWMC’s Biosolids Management Facility and Biocycle Farm webpages.
12
Wrap-Up Jeopardy Game
Wrap-Up Game
To help students review what they’ve learned during Clean Water University, play a fun game of Jeopardy
using our PowerPoint presentation. Students will answer questions on water quality, macroinvertebrates,
wastewater treatment, microorganisms, pollution prevention, and sustainability. This game can be played
either in person or virtually, with the teacher managing the PowerPoint presentation either in classroom or
via screen sharing. If you need technical assistance or would like MWMC staff to facilitate the game via Zoom
or another video conferencing platform, please email anmiller@springfield-or.gov.
How to Play Clean Water University Jeopardy
1. Access the CWU Jeopardy PowerPoint presentation and play the
slideshow from the beginning. Additionally, open a blank spreadsheet
or use a piece of paper and a pen to keep score. Share the PowerPoint
presentation with your class either on a projector if in person or
through screen sharing in your video conferencing platform if virtual.
2. Split your class into 3-5 teams. Ask each team to designate one team
leader to announce answers to different questions aloud to the class.
If playing in a virtual environment, have each team leader create their
own team group chat in order to discuss their answers.
3. Starting with Team 1, have students select a category/point value.
When the team makes that selection, simply click on the point value
within the specified category’s column. This will take you to the
question associated with that specific category/point value.
4. Each question slide contains a progress bar with a duration of 30
seconds, which begins automatically once you click to that slide. The
team that selected the question will have those 30 seconds to agree
on one final answer, which must be in the form of a question. Have the team leader announce their answer
before the time runs out. After the time is up, the correct answer will appear on screen for the whole class to
see. If the team answers before time is up, click in any blank area on the slide to reveal the correct answer.
5. If the team answers the question correctly, they win the designated number of points for that specific
question. If they answer incorrectly, they lose that number of points. Keep track of those scores using the
previously mentioned spreadsheet or pen and paper.
6. Once the correct answer has been revealed, click the question to be taken back to the grid of categories and
point values. Move on to the other teams, repeating steps 3-5 for each team. Categories/point values that
have already been selected by another team will turn purple.
7. After all 30 questions have been answered, click Final Jeopardy within the categories/point values grid. All
teams will get to answer this question. Teams will be able to see this last question before the countdown
begins and select a number of points to wager, with a maximum of their current score. If the team answers
correctly, they win that number of points and if they answer incorrectly, they lose that number of points.
Once each team has selected a number of points, click anywhere in the slide to start the countdown. Ask
each team leader to write their answer down on a piece of paper, and wait to reveal their answer until the
timer has ended and all teams have come up with an answer. If virtual, have each team leader send their
answer to you in a private message. Then click in any blank area on the slide to reveal the correct answer.
8. Tally the final scores for each team and reveal your winner! Have fun!
CLEANWATERUNIVERSITY
JEOPARD!)!
Pollution
Prevention
Water
Quality
Macro-Wastewater
invertebrates Treatment
Micro-
organisms Sustainability
200 200 200 200 200 200
400 400 400 400 400 400
600 600 600 600 600 600
800 800 800 800 800 800
1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
FINAL JEOPARDY
13
In Closing
That’s it! You’ve made it to the end of our Clean Water University virtual curriculum for the 2021-2022 school
year. Thank you so much again for your participation. We hope you found the materials valuable in teaching
your students about the importance of clean water. We would love to hear your feedback. Please feel free
to send any questions or comments to anmiller@springfield-or.gov and be on the lookout for a feedback
survey that will be emailed to you.
As a reminder if you haven’t done so already, please submit proof of your participation in Clean Water
University to anmiller@springfield-or.gov to enter your entire class into a drawing for memberships to
the Eugene Science Center. See page 3 for more details on both this incentive and the $500 donation to
participating schools’ STEM/science programs.
Conclusions
Recap of Key Learning Outcomes
• Explain where water comes from.
• Identify the various stages of the water cycle.
• Recognize water as an essential resource.
• Explain how drinking water gets to their home.
• Identify various sources of drinking water.
• Recognize that water must be properly cleaned to
rid it of pollutants before it can become drinking
water.
• Identify the key measures that help us determine
the health of a river, stream, or lake.
• Explain why high levels of water quality are
important to human and animal life.
• Recognize the role stormwater plays in the quality
of our local waterways.
• Define a macroinvertebrate and recognize their
important role in the food web.
• Explain the connection between clean water and
the food web.
• Identify some common macroinvertebrates such as
mayflies, dragonflies, and aquatic earthworms.
• Explain where their wastewater goes to be cleaned.
• Explain why effectively cleaning wastewater
helps to protect our community’s health and local
environment.
• Identify the key steps in the wastewater treatment
process.
• Define a microorganism.
• Explain the role microorganisms play in the
wastewater treatment process.
• Identify some of the common microorganisms
present in the biological treatment of wastewater.
• Recognize the importance of preventing pollution
from entering the wastewater collection system.
• Identify actions that community members can take
to prevent pollution, such as keeping trash out of
the toilet.
• Explain what happens to pollutants when they are
flushed/poured down the drain.
• Explain the benefits of sustainability efforts in
protecting our local environment.
• Identify the byproducts of the wastewater
treatment process that the MWMC beneficially
reuses: biosolids, recycled water, and renewable
natural gas.
• Recognize that the Biocycle Farm uses waste
to produce wood, a renewable resource for our
community.
SPRINGFIELD—^tesawecleanWATER