DEQ – Hasso Hering

Two years on: Water Gardens still in danger

Written August 31st, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 20 responses.

In case you have forgotten, it was more than two years ago that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality fined Albany $5,400 and gave the city 90 days to submit a plan to stop underground leaks from the Talking Water Gardens.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: City of Albany, DEQ, groundwater, Talking Water Gardens, water leakage, Willamette River

The Waverly Duck and bigger stories

Written May 16th, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 10 responses.

The Waverly Duck is back on the Albany pond for which it is named. That was one item of news the city council got in City Manager Peter Troedsson’s weekly summary Friday. The other items were a bigger deal, and one posed a puzzle.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany City Council, Albany city government, American Rescue Plan, cyberattacks, DEQ, managers report, ransom attacks, stormwater permit, Waverly duck

Freezing rain and greenhouse gases

Written February 12th, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 33 responses.

While we’re having an ice storm in the Albany area and much of western Oregon, this might be a good time to think about what the state government has in mind for us in terms of our ability to get around, or to keep warm if we stay home.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: DEQ, Executive Order 20-04, global warming, greenhouse gas reductions

Willamette water quality: Update the info

Written January 30th, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 5 responses.

We’re supposed to be concerned about — or at least interested in — the water quality in our rivers. But if you’re looking for up-to-date summaries on the Willamette from the Oregon DEQ, you’re out of luck.

Posted in: Commentary
Tags: DEQ, water quality, Willamette River

DEQ revises stormwater rules Albany fought

Written January 6th, 2021 by Hasso Hering

Comments: no responses.

Two years ago the city of Albany went to court to block new state regulations on the discharge of stormwater, saying that the rules went beyond what the federal Clean Water Act demands and would cost city ratepayers $5-7 million over five years. Now an agreement may be at hand.

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Albany stormwater, DEQ, MS4 permit, MS4 Phase II, stormwater pollution

Why there’s steam erupting off Clark Path

Written September 30th, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 2 responses.

Once again Albany’s Dave Clark Riverfront Path has been temporarily blocked by sewer work. It’s an interesting project marked by geyser-like eruptions of — steam!

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: Dave Clark Path, DEQ, Insituform Technologies, Riverfront Interceptor

Corona Days: Meanwhile at Talking Waters

Written April 3rd, 2020 by Hasso Hering

Comments: 16 responses.

Albany’s Talking Water Gardens remain open to the public during the corona crisis, but visitors may find the waters silent, and lower than they used to be. What’s going on?

Posted in: Commentary, News
Tags: DEQ, Talking Water Gardens, Talking Waters