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Investing in the long-term sustainability of your community

 

March/April 2023 Customer Newsletter
Board Byline by Susan Keil, Board Chair

Investments in local infrastructure support the health, sustainability, and prosperity of our community. Oak Lodge Water Services (OLWS) is taking steps to update its aging wastewater collections system and wastewater treatment plant to continue to provide you with safe and reliable service today and for years to come.

Proactively investing in upgrades to our aging infrastructure today will help us avoid larger and more costly repairs in the future. Upgrades are planned over the next 5-to-10-years based on their urgency and benefit to the system. Addressing the system vulnerabilities identified now will position OLWS to handle stronger storm events caused by a shifting climate, meet future, more stringent regulations, reduce the risk of future sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and promote healthy local waterways.

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What does this mean for my rates? The OLWS Budget Committee will meet weekly April through May to discuss the budget for the coming year, which begins July 1, 2023. The Budget Committee is a group of volunteers who are also OLWS customers. The OLWS Board of Directors will meet on May 16, 2023 to adopt the budget with a proposed rate. The Public Hearing for the proposed rate will take place on June 20, 2023. This process will determine what rate increase will be required in the upcoming fiscal year to support important capital improvements. 

Learn more! This is a large and important community investment; OLWS values your input. Below are Board meetings where you can provide public comment. You’re welcome to attend through Zoom video conference or in-person at 14496 SE River Road Oak Grove, OR 97267. The upcoming regular meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on: April 18, May 16, and June 20. 


Click here to read the full Board Byline and the March/April Customer Newsletter
 

Spring Rains Bring Growing Gardens

As we wish farewell to winter and prepare our gardens for spring it is important to remember that our actions impact the health of our watershed. A few small changes on your part make a big difference. Always picking up after your pets and dispose of pet waste in the garbage can is one way you can help protect our water environment. This keeps harmful bacteria out of local ditches and creeks, which is upstream from another community’s water source. Click here to read more tips in the March/April Customer Newsletter.

 

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