Water Infrastructure and Small Districts

Small water districts like Pine Grove and Tooley are the backbone of community health and stability, but they are currently being asked to manage aging infrastructure, limited staff, and complex regulations far beyond their capacity. These essential systems, which often face urgent sewer-system needs alongside drinking water challenges, should not be a burden carried alone by small communities whose residents simply cannot absorb the inevitable rate increases. Safe, reliable drinking water is not optional—it is the foundation of community health, economic stability, and wildfire resilience.

The county cannot take a hands-off approach to this widespread challenge, which is directly tied to the long-term economic sustainability of Wasco County. Wasco County has a responsibility to help small districts secure the funding, expertise, and long-term sustainability their residents deserve. This requires a coordinated, regional strategy that ensures no district is left behind.

My plan for a county-led support framework focuses on technical expertise, affordability, and strategic investment:

• Expand Technical Assistance and Grant-Writing Capacity

  Small communities often miss out on crucial infrastructure funding simply because they lack the staff to apply. The county should help scale existing support by coordinating shared engineers, grant writers, and compliance experts. This capacity building would enable small districts to access the millions in funding that already exists through agencies like Business Oregon.

• Build a County-Led Regional Support Framework

  Commissioners should work with state and federal partners to create a regional approach for water and sewer infrastructure. This framework would help small districts navigate compliance, complex regulatory challenges, and long-term planning.

• Support Affordability for Residents

  While grants may cover construction costs, utility rate increases can still severely impact low-income households. The county can explore solutions like a low-income utility relief fund or shared services—such as a countywide network of meter readers—to reduce operational costs for small districts and ease the financial burden on residents.

• Identify and Prioritize Strategic Investments

  Now is the moment to map out the highest-risk systems, align funding opportunities, and determine which projects must move first to protect public health and support future growth. A coordinated county approach ensures efficient use of resources and prevents essential systems from failing.