Working to Obtain Ownership in a Long Term Water Supply
Years ago the staff at Public Works began work to obtain equitable ownership in
a water source capable of meeting Tigard's growing demand for clean, safe
drinking water. Currently Tigard lacks ownership of a water source that is
capable of meeting current customer water demands and must purchase the majority
of its water supply from wholesale water providers such as the
Cities of Portland and
Lake Oswego.
The gaining of ownership in a water supply is a difficult process. Over the years Tigard has
participated in a variety of studies to identify future long-term water supply
options. In the early 1980's Tigard entered into a 25 year purchasing contract
with the City of Portland guaranteeing to purchase the majority of our water
supply from the Water Bureau. This contract expires in 2007 and as such Tigard
staff has been working with the City of Portland and other wholesale water
customers to negotiate a future
contract that
is in the best interest of Tigard's citizen.
In 2002 - 2004 Tigard was
an active participant in Portland's proposed Bull Run Drinking Water
Agency. The City of Tigard saw the proposed Agency as an opportunity to gain
ownership in a water supply. Unfortunately the Bull Run Drinking Water Agency
never came into existence and Tigard was forced to look at other water supply
options.
In 2004 the City of Tigard took its first step towards becoming
a member of the Joint
Water Commission (JWC), a collective water supply agency, whose members
include the Cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Beaverton and the Tualatin Valley
Water District. JWC manages a surface water source originating from the Tualatin
and Trask River Watersheds located in the Oregon coast range. Currently Tigard
is not an ownership member in the Commission. Additional water rights are being
pursued and if obtained the City of Tigard will have the opportunity to buy-in
and have equity ownership in the Commission.
In 2005 Tigard renewed its
partnership with the City of Lake
Oswego and began purchasing water from the neighboring city this past June.
Lake Oswego draws their water from the Clackamas River. Currently the City of
Tigard is in the process of identifying the feasibility of gaining ownership in
Lake Oswego's system.
In addition the City of Tigard continues to
participate in the Willamette River
Water Coalition. Currently Tigard is pursuing all possible options for
future ownership in a water supply capable of meeting the systems needs.
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to call
Sally Mills, Water Quality Program Coordinator at 503-718-2604 or email
sally@tigard-or.gov.
The gaining of ownership in a water supply is a difficult process. Over the years Tigard has
participated in a variety of studies to identify future long-term water supply
options. In the early 1980's Tigard entered into a 25 year purchasing contract
with the City of Portland guaranteeing to purchase the majority of our water
supply from the Water Bureau. This contract expires in 2007 and as such Tigard
staff has been working with the City of Portland and other wholesale water
customers to negotiate a future
