In a move that underscores the critical need for robust infrastructure in the face of natural disasters, the Joint Water Commission (JWC) is set to receive a significant fiscal boost. A FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program Grant of $8.9 million has been secured, designated for seismic upgrades at the JWC Water Treatment Plant that serves over 458,000 people in Washington County, Oregon. The grant aims to cover 90% of the total projected costs for a replacement disinfection facility crucial to the plant's operations, according to the City of Hillsboro.
The JWC Water Treatment Plant is not just any facility—it's the largest of its kind in Oregon, with a major responsibility for treating and providing potable water. The plant is a joint venture with ownership stakes held by the Cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Beaverton, alongside the Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD). Given its importance, the seismic upgrades can't be overstated. Despite a stoic presence since 1974, the plant's existing chlorine storage and feed area is a vestige of pre-seismic design standards, ill-suited to withstand an earthquake that could strike the region.
With the current grant, the JWC is embarking on transitioning to a new disinfection system. This will be housed in a 4,680-square-foot edifice engineered to be seismically resilient on the same site as the present Water Treatment Plant. This transition is critical for maintaining essential services during and after seismic events and ensuring that the region's water supply remains uncontaminated and accessible.
Complementing this effort, Hillsboro Water is actively seeking further funding for an addition to the disinfection facility. The proposed Seismically Resilient Water Treatment Plant Chemical Building is currently pending additional federal support. It has been selected as a Community Project for 2025, with Congresswoman Bonamici spearheading a fund request for $2,800,000. This additional funding would facilitate the prerequisite studies, engineering, permitting, and planning necessary for a foundation that can weather significant geological disturbances.
