Grant for new groundwater system

The City of Gresham and Rockwood Water People's Utility District (RWPUD) have each been awarded a $1.5 million grant thanks to the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These grants will help fund the expansion of the local Cascade Groundwater System.

"We're using this funding to help expand our local groundwater system and provide a high-quality, resilient drinking water source for the people we serve in East Multnomah County," said Mike Whiteley, Water Division Manager for the City of Gresham. "By owning and operating our own groundwater system we'll be able to provide greater rate stability and service to our customers."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant is awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency through Business Oregon and The Oregon Health Authority's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The funding will be used by both agencies for the purchase and installation of Manganese Water Filtration systems.

To help keep the project affordable, the partners are also taking advantage of other financing options, including federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. Rockwood has been awarded a WIFIA loan of $30.4 million and is now applying for additional funds. Gresham has been awarded a WIFIA loan of $34 million.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants combined with low-interest WIFIA loans support rate stability, long-term affordability, and equitable delivery of high-quality water to the 138,000 residents served by Gresham and Rockwood.

"We're grateful for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants. They help Gresham and Rockwood come together for the local community and make historic, long-term investments to ensure we have a resilient, affordable, and consistently high-quality water supply well into the future," Kari Duncan, General Manager of Rockwood Water People's Utility District.

Gresham and RWPUD partnered to form the Cascade Groundwater Alliance and build an independent, safe, and reliable water system to serve East Multnomah County.

The construction of the expanded system, which includes eight groundwater wells, two redundant water transmission lines, three water filtration plants, and 10 million gallons of storage, is currently underway. When it is complete in 2026, the system will provide 33 million gallons of safe, reliable water per day.

Learn more about the Cascade Ground Water Alliance and the expansion of the local groundwater system.