Clean Water Services celebrates national awards; Rock Creek team wins operations challenge

Clean Water Services presented awards and a team video to the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 after teams returned from WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition Conference. Rick Shanley, interim CEO and general manager, opened the presentation and introduced two recognitions earned by district staff.

"Some people call it the Super Bowl of wastewater," said Skyler Edmondson, a senior wastewater treatment operator at the Rock Creek facility, describing Operations Challenge, an industry competition that tests operators in five events: process, maintenance, laboratory, collections and safety. Edmondson said Clean Water Services' team practiced multiple times per week for months, competed in regional events and placed in division competitions at WEFTEC. He described the competition as a hands‑on professional‑development tool that helps operators master field skills and cross‑department collaboration.

The board also heard that Clean Water Services received the Utility of the Future recognition in the partnering and engagement category. Karen (last name not specified on the record) and Ellen Gordon explained the award acknowledges utilities that promote resource recovery, community engagement and culture of innovation. "It's not just about checking a box…because our slow and sensitive Tualatin River demands it," a Clean Water Services presenter said, emphasizing the agency's combined technical and partnership work on issues such as PFAS research with Oregon State University, the 'Fish eggs to fry' education program and large‑scale tree and stream restoration efforts.

Commissioners who attended WEFTEC praised staff for the competitive performance and emphasized the workforce‑development and leadership benefits that stem from the Operations Challenge program. No board action was required; staff asked only to share the recognitions and to document the district’s accomplishments.

Details provided by presenters included practice schedules, event descriptions, and the district's approach to sharing knowledge across departments. Skyler Edmondson said the district’s teams have returned from competitions with medals and that team participation has coincided with individual career advancement for several members. The communications team said a video of the team’s work will be posted on social media and used in outreach.

What happened next: commissioners and district staff posed for photos and moved on to the next agenda items. There was no vote associated with this presentation.