Welcome to the
Albany-Millersburg
Talking Water Gardens
Engineered Treatment Wetlands-
Opening to the Public in Fall of 2012

A Partnership for Engineered Wetland Science

The Albany-Millersburg Talking Water Gardens are the first public/private engineering project of its kind in the United States: an integrated wetlands system designed to provide an additional level of natural treatment for a combined municipal and industrial treated wastewater flow. It will be the final step in returning this treated water safely to the Willamette River – a treatment option its designers say has more than twice the natural resource value of conventional alternatives.

site

Learn more about this project >

Added: February 10th, 2010

Closed Site Until Fall 2012

Talking Water Gardens project, an engineered treatment wetlands, is a closed treatment site. The facility will be open to the public in the Fall of 2012. We are not offering tours at this time except for specific organizations and groups that have a direct need to see the site during this phase. We have had many organizations and service clubs offer to help out at Talking Water Gardens. We appreciate their interest and will be able to accomodate offers to help once we are officially open to the public. Until this time, we are testing flows in the wetlands and nurturing the growth of plants, and please ask citizens to be patient while we do this important work. Please contact a coordinator from the City of Albany’s Wetlands department if you have any questions. Updated on November 8th, 2011
Water Reuse & Biosolids
Tom TenPas
Wetlands and Biosolids Reuse Supervisor
Tom.TenPas@cityofalbany.net
541-497-6224

Steve Weidinger
Laboratory & Research Coordinator
Stephen.weidinger@cityofalbany.net
541-791-0061

Heather Slocum
Water Resources & Wetlands Outreach Coordinator
Heather.slocum@cityofalbany.net
541-791-0058

Added: July 6th, 2011

Interview with Mark Madison of CH2M Hill

By: Mark Ylen, Albany Democrat-Herald

Mark Madison, an environmental engineer with CH2M Hill.
Madison and Hasso Hering discuss the Talking Water project while touring part of the 50-acre site.

Added: April 30th, 2010

Groundbreaking, Feb. 12

A Native American blessing of the land will highlight the groundbreaking Friday of Talking Water Gardens.

The ceremony is set for 1:30  p.m. Friday at 500 Waverly Drive N.E.

The groundbreaking will feature elected officials, engineering designers for the project along with congressional office representatives.

Update:  The groundbreaking ceremony brought out many folks that have participated in some way with the construction of the Talking Water Gardens.  Approximately 60 people attended the event despite the rain showers and wind. 

Agenda:

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS – Mayor Sharon Konopa and Mayor Clayton Wood

BLESSING OF THE LAND –Cheryle Kennedy Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde

COMMENTS FROM CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

VISION & PARTNERSHIPS CREATE A FUTURE LEGACY – Mark Lasswell/CH2M HILL and Dr. Ken Williamson

WETLAND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATIONS TO ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT– Mark Madison/CH2M Hill

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WAH CHANG/OSU RESEARCH INITIATIVE – Wah Chang Representative

WETLAND WISHES – Children of Albany

SHOVEL CEREMONY- Albany and Millersburg City Council and ATI Wah Chang Representatives

CLOSING BLESSING – Cheryle Kennedy, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde

The ceremony concluded with attendees releasing cattail seeds into the air.

Added: February 8th, 2010