Where: Douglas County, Oregon
Problem: A small water system need help to bring its system into compliance with regulations
Solution: Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) staff provided training and technical assistance to correct compliance issues.
Lawson Acres Water Association (LAWA) serves about 75 people who live in a small cluster of homes near Riddle, in southern Douglas County, Oregon. Riddle is a rural community with just more than 1,100 population. The association has 27 water connections and operates a surface water treatment plant from the Cow Creek River. A regulatory agency contacted RCAC in 2014 to ask for assistance with LAWA’s management and operation issues.
With such a small system and limited resources, the association’s board had challenges keeping a water operator on staff, and had been dealing with several regulatory violations. The system was issued an Administrative Order (AO) to correct six specific violations, including a timeline and compliance actions for each.
RCAC worked with LAWA’s board to address issues outlined in the AO. However, in 2016, it received a second notice, but only for three violations. While working with the board to address the violations, RCAC helped LAWA apply for a Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Project (SIPP) grant, through Oregon Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund (SDWRLF). LAWA received $20,000 for a feasibility study to determine the best course to correct the compliance issues.
RCAC helped the board hire an engineer and to undergo the study process. When the study was complete, the board considered options and decided to move forward with a regional approach – which meant connecting the system to the City of Riddle, about a mile away. This was a significant outcome because it had been under consideration for about a decade. Several factors contributed to the decision, including pressure from the state. But RCAC’s continued involvement, including facilitating meetings with the board, funders and regulatory agencies, had an impact as the board wrestled with ways to deal with the ongoing challenges. The board came to the conclusion that an aging community would be unable to manage the system on its own and could not afford to pay a full-time water operator.
During 2017, RCAC helped LAWA complete a funding application to SDWRLF and it received a notice of award in early 2018. The award is a combination of a low-interest loan ($151,800) and forgivable loan ($367,650). The total funds, $519,450, will cover the cost to construct the pipeline that will connect the system to Riddle.
RCAC has continued to assist the board with operational issues, budgets, rate studies and community outreach and education. As a result, the community agreed to raise water rates for two years to cover current costs and to prepare for future expenses.
After a long process, the community has made progress toward addressing its water quality and compliance challenges. Once it is connected to Riddle, LAWA will provide safe drinking water to its rural clients for the long term.
