The Oregonian – OregonLive.com (October 13, 2014 at 11:45 AM, updated October 13, 2014 at 11:46 AM / Written by Luke Hammill)
Local water officials have announced a series of October and November open houses in Wilsonville, Beaverton, Aloha, Sherwood and Hillsboro, where the public can learn more about the Willamette Water Supply Program.
The project – a joint effort between the city of Hillsboro and the Tualatin Valley Water District – seeks to develop the mid-Willamette River at Wilsonville as an additional water supply source in anticipation of population growth. Officials estimate that water needs in Washington County will double by 2050.
The Hillsboro Water Department says the Tualatin watershed will still be the city’s main source of water. But as planners expect to add tens of thousands of residents in areas like South Hillsboro, the Willamette project will provide a needed supplement, officials say.
The city budgeted $2.8 million this fiscal year for planning, design and construction of the Willamette project. Hillsboro’s utilities commission also voted in August to raise water rates across the city by 6 percent, partly to help finance the project.
Here’s the open house schedule:
- Wilsonville: Oct. 28, 6 p.m., Wilsonville City Hall
- Beaverton: Oct. 30, 6 p.m., Beaverton City Library
- Aloha: Nov. 5, 6 p.m., Mountain View Middle School cafeteria
- Sherwood/Tigard/Tualatin: Nov. 15, 10 a.m., Al’s Garden Center (Sherwood)
- Tualatin Valley Water District: Nov. 18, 6 p.m., TVWD office (Beaverton)
- Hillsboro: Nov. 20, 6 p.m., Hillsboro Main Library
The project website will also host an “online open house,” which will launch Tuesday.
