Following reporting in March from The Oregonian about lavish expenditures on CWS executive travel to Hawaii, attention focused on CEO Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, who resigned in April. The trips were taken to attend meetings related to Clean Water Insurance, the self-insurance company formed by CWS (a Captive Insurance company) as a Hawaii corporation. Self-insurance is a common practice for utilities, and Hawaii is one of a few states that allow for such corporations.

The CWS board (which consists of the five-member Board of County Commissioners) in April directed the district to hire an outside auditor to examine the district’s travel and meal expenditures, review and restrict the executive team expenditures, and review and revise the travel, meal and refreshment policies. The agency reportedly paid $440,000 on local and travel meals alone over five years. and paid for executives to stay in a series of five-star hotels in Hawaii. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously in mid-June to investigate whether CWS spending violated state ethics law.

More recent investigative reporting by The Oregonian exposed a feud between Taniguchi-Dennis and County Chair Kathryn Harrington. Some people involved believe that Taniguchi-Dennis resigned at the request of the board, but Pam Treece said that was not the case. Tanaguchi-Dennis claimed it was the “hostile work environment” created by Harrington that led her to step down in May, “to focus on my health and well-being.” She had previously drafted an offer to reimburse CWS for some of her excessive spending on meals but said that was “moot’ after her resignation. The county gave her a hefty severance package. They have hired the Barran-Liebman law firm to investigate the allegations about Harrington, who has said she will not run again for Chair. She faced a similar investigation in 2022.

Commissioner Pam Treece, who is running to replace Harrington as Chair in 2026, says that there were problems with CWS record-keeping and reimbursement policies. She recommended an employee hotline for CWS to enable staff to report irregularities, and it became active June 27. She endorses stronger oversight and is also promoting changes to billing practices. Currently the bill ratepayers receive includes both CWS which provides stormwater and sewer services, and Tualatin Valley Water District which provides drinking water. Treece and others recommend separating them. She also endorses an income-qualified option to help low-income ratepayers. These options were discussed during a CWS Board meeting that approved a 3% rate increase.

Treece noted that she and other board members and CWS staff have traveled to water conferences in Asia, Canada, Europe, and the US to engage in the global exchange of knowledge—”sharing what we’ve learned from our unique challenges, and learning what works elsewhere to apply smarter solutions here for the most impactful and cost-effective use of ratepayer dollars. In-person connections and hands-on experiences drive CWS’ commitment to supporting travel by staff and the CWS Board of Directors for intensive education and networking opportunities.” In Laos, they were on a federally-funded mission for the State Department to assist a local government in addressing its lack of centralized sewer infrastructure. CWS was one of only five US utilities selected for the mission because of their innovative and sustainable practices.

She explained that this travel is far from lavish, using tourist-class flights and economical hotels, usually staying in the same hotel where conferences are held. Lessons learned include ways to respond to climate change, wastewater remediation strategies, earthquake preparedness, and energy reclamation.

Clean Water Services Board work session

Friday, July 18, 9 am-4 pm, Rock Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility, 3235 SE River Road, Hillsboro, and on Zoom (link TBA),

The Clean Water Services Board of Directors will hold a work session that will include the CWS plan to rebuild trust, CWS billing, building updates, West Basin Master Plan, Board planning, and a tour of the Rock Creek clarifier. For further information, please contact Sue Page at 503.615.6241 or askus@cleanwaterservices.org. The public may attend but not comment.

Join the CWS Advisory Commission

Your voice and viewpoint can help inform policy decisions on water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed. The CWS Board of Directors is seeking applicants to serve a four-year term on its Clean Water Services Advisory Commission (CWAC). The 15-person commission reviews major policy issues and programs related to the management of water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed and makes recommendations to the Board. We are recruiting for four positions:

District 2 Representative: Applicants must live in Washington County Commission District 2, which includes Bethany, Cedar Hills, Cedar Mill, Helvetia, Raleigh Hills, Rock Creek, and portions of Beaverton and Hillsboro. 

District At-Large Representative: Applicants must live in Washington County. 

Agricultural Representative #2: Applicants must own, manage, or work for an agricultural business or organization that operates within CWS boundaries. 

Builder/Developer Representative #2: Applicants must own, manage, or work for a home builder or developer that operates with CWS boundaries. 

Learn more and apply here. Deadline is August 15.