Down the Drain

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Down the Drain is a fun and educational video about what should NOT go down the drain and the complex processes necessary for treating wastewater at the Tri-City Water Pollution Control Plant in Oregon City, Oregon. With the goal of enhancing citizen understanding of the history and technology behind removing pollutants from water after use within homes and businesses for public and environmental health, Down the Drain was conceived, scripted, filmed, animated and congealed as a collaboration of ideas, visions and creativity that became reality. Clackamas County Water Environment Services (WES), on behalf of Clackamas County Service District No. 1, a wastewater and surface water management agency, provides tours of its facilities to the public. Down the Drain enhances the tour experience for the public as well as the operators who give the tours due to the video’s consistent message presented in simple terms and in a fun way that all ages can understand and enjoy. Down the Drain won a first place award in the 2013 Government Programming Awards for Innovative Use of Video from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA).