Clean Water services and the Washington County Commissioners may use North Bethany, an area of Oregon currently being developed, as a test site for regional stormwater basins rather than individual basins in each development.

Under the regional model outlined in the county’s concept plan, North Bethany would build 18 basins rather than 200, at a total cost of $14.6 million. These basins would be more expensive to build, according to developers, but Clean Water Services said maintenance costs would be lower in the long term. Clean Water Services would be responsible for funding the land purchase and construction fees but would be reimbursed in full through the Regional Stormwater Management Charge, a one-time fee for developers. The Washington County Board of Commissioners is planning to consider an ordinance that would set parameters and fees for the regional system.