Rural Water Infrastructure

Small water systems across Wasco County are the backbone of community health and stability, yet many are being asked to manage aging infrastructure, limited staffing, and complex regulatory requirements far beyond what their capacity or rate base can reasonably support. These essential systems often face urgent wastewater needs alongside drinking water challenges, creating pressures that small communities simply cannot absorb on their own. Safe, reliable drinking water is not optional—it is the foundation of community health, economic stability, and wildfire resilience.

Because this challenge is widespread and directly tied to the long‑term sustainability of the county, a hands‑off approach is not an option. Wasco County has a responsibility to help small systems secure the funding, technical expertise, and long‑term stability their residents deserve. Meeting that responsibility requires a coordinated, regional strategy—one that strengthens shared capacity, aligns available resources, and ensures no community 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.