On Thursday, U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Andrea Salinas, alongside Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) Commissioner Todd Sanders and local city mayors Tim Rosener (Sherwood), Lacey Beaty (Beaverton), and Steve Callaway (Hillsboro), gathered near the Willamette Water Supply System Water Treatment Plant in Sherwood to highlighted the profound impact that investment in drinking water infrastructure has on the economic health and future growth of Washington County.

The centerpiece of these discussions was the Willamette Water Supply System – a critical partnership project designed to enhance the reliability and capacity of water supplies for customers in TVWD and the cities of Hillsboro and Beaverton. This project is not just about water; it's about securing the future of the region’s economy.

“Tualatin Valley Water District covers one of the fastest growing areas in Oregon. It’s important to invest in the water infrastructure needed to support these Washington County communities. The federal funding I helped secure will increase access to safe and reliable drinking water, keep costs down for ratepayers, and improve the region’s resiliency,” said Representative Suzanne Bonamici, who was instrumental in securing $4 million in federal Community Project funding for the Willamette Water Supply System.

Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, who along with Representative Bonamici, secured a $50 million authorization for the system in the 2024 Water Resource Development Act said, “Clean drinking water is both a necessity and a precious resource that must be conserved and protected. That is why I am so proud to celebrate this federal funding for a new water treatment plant in Washington County,” Salinas added, “At its core, this project represents a down payment on the health and safety of our kids and grandkids. I look forward to seeing these dollars put to good use in our community, and I will keep fighting to secure the funding needed to upgrade Oregon’s water infrastructure.”

TVWD Commissioner Todd Sanders echoed these sentiments, stating, “Water systems play a vital role in fostering economic stability and growth. The Willamette Water Supply System is a testament to this, representing a significant investment in the future resilience and reliability of our region’s water resources.”

Following the remarks, the group visited the Willamette Water Supply System Water Treatment Plant, a key element of the region’s infrastructure that will come online in 2026. The plant is part of a broader system that includes an upgraded water intake facility on the mid-Willamette River in Wilsonville, a new reservoir in unincorporated Washington County, and 30 miles of new pipelines connecting these resources to communities throughout the region. 

Learn more at OurReliableWater.org.

TVWD, the managing agency of the Willamette Water Supply System, is dedicated to providing reliable, resilient, and safe drinking water to more than 226,000 people across Washington County, Oregon. Covering over 41 square miles, TVWD’s service area includes unincorporated Washington County and parts of Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Tigard. For more information, visit TVWD.org.

Full event video and B-roll is available in this shared folder.