Celebrate Public Works Week!

Our public works professionals make communities safer, healthier, more vibrant, and a better place to live. Serving the needs of our community is what gives public works its sense of purpose and powers them to do their best.

As we observe National Public Works Week from May 17 to 23, let's acknowledge and honor our team’s relentless dedication and often unseen contributions as they:

• Respond to emergencies like winter storms, earthquakes, and floods
• Deliver clean, safe and reliable drinking water
• Maintain street lighting and transportation systems
• Beautify medians and public spaces
• Keep sanitation and sewer systems running smoothly
• Sweep and maintain clear streets
• Manage stormwater systems
• Service and maintain the City’s vehicle fleet
• Provide survey and mapping support
• Design, build, and operate infrastructure like roads, traffic signals, sidewalks, pump stations, and water systems
• Engage and inform residents on City projects and issues.

Advancing Quality of Life for All

Take a few minutes to go behind-the-scenes with four Lake Oswego Public Works staff members. Learn how our Public Works team is advancing quality of life, public health, and well-being for everyone in our community:

Get Involved!

Take a tour of the Water Treatment Plant

To celebrate Public Works Week, join our operators to take a behind-the-scenes public tour of the state-of-the-art Lake Oswego-Tigard Water Treatment Plant! Tours take approximately 1 ½ hours and are limited to 15 people per tour. Click here to sign up! 

Stormwater Bingo and Drain Marking!

Lake Oswego community members have two great opportunities to learn about stormwater and help protect local waterways for Public Works Week!

• Stormwater Bingo is a fun, family-friendly activity where participants complete simple tasks, like spotting storm drains, exploring native plants, or drawing the water cycle. Pick up a free card at City Hall, the LORAC, or the Library, or download one online. Completed cards earn a sticker and entry into a monthly prize drawing from May through August.
• Join the Storm Drain Marking Program, which helps spread the message “Only rain down the drain.” Volunteers place markers on storm drains to remind community members that runoff flows directly into rivers and streams without treatment.

Library Activities

The LO Public Library is also celebrating Public Works Week with the following activities and events!

• Book Display
• Public Works Storytime - Wednesday, May 20, 10:30 am. Come listen to all your favorite stories about diggers, excavators, bridges and more. Then check out some of those favorite books and take them home for your own celebration of Public Works Week.