Public Works News

OCTOBER 2024 - Lead Service Line Inventory UPDATE

The City of Cornelius has examined the materials of all its water service lines and has determined there are no lead, no galvanized requiring replacement, and no lead status unknown water service lines in the City of Cornelius water system service area. This includes both the City of Cornelius water system or public-owned and private or customer-owned water service lines.

This determination was made after reviewing historical records including building dates and state lead ban date, performing water service line visual inspections, and using the Oregon Health Authority’s statistical analysis method.

AUGUST 2024 - Lead Pipe Inventory Taking Place in the City of Cornelius

The EPA adopted revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule in 2021 that include a requirement for public water systems to conduct inventories of service lines and to identify service line material type. The intent of the service line inventory requirement is to identify those service lines made of lead so that they can be scheduled for removal and replacement.

The City of Cornelius must conduct an inventory of all service lines to submit the results to OHA–Drinking Water Services (DWS) by October 16, 2024.

Please be advised that contractors will be working throughout the city as part of a lead pipe inventory project. This work is scheduled to take place in August and September. Contractors will not need to enter private property, and there will be no interruptions to your utility services during this time.

Thank you for your cooperation.

For more information visit the Oregon Health Authority website.

Emerald Ash Borer found in the City of Cornelius

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a destructive insect that kills all types of North American ash trees (Fraxinus species). Unfortunately, EAB was found in Forest Grove in 2022 and in Cornelius earlier this year. Ash trees make up a large number of the trees in our community and are common in yards, parks, and streets. They help keep our communities healthy by providing shade, clear air, clean water, and wildlife habitat.

While EAB is here to stay, a coalition of local and state organizations are working together to slow its spread, and you can help! EAB and other destructive pests live in firewood. Infestations spread quickly when people transport firewood for camping or other uses. To help slow the spread of EAB, don’t move firewood more than 30 miles from where you buy or collect it.

You can further prepare for EAB by taking a few additional steps: