Welcome to the Oregon Water Utility Council

Mission Statement

The Oregon Water Utility Council is made of water utilities large and small from across the state of Oregon and is a committee of the Pacific Northwest Section of AWWA.

The OWUC was organized in 1988 by folks in the water industry that were concerned with the number of proposed laws and regulations drafted each year that could place tremendous constraints on our industry. Many of these individuals were spending long hours trying to inform legislators and congressional representatives of the importance of water related issues. It did not take long for these individuals to learn that a joint effort could cover a lot more territory than they had been doing individually.

The mission of OWUC is to promote and monitor legislation, public policies, and regulations that will ensure our communities are provided drinking water of highest quality and sufficient quantities at a reasonable cost.

The overall purpose of this committee is to monitor legislation as it affects water utilities in Oregon and keep members informed. The legislative activities are closely coordinated with policies of the AWWA when applicable.

How to Get Involved

OWUC is always looking for motivated individuals and utilities to join the committee.

Dues for the committee are based on utility size and are used to hire technical specialists or coordinate with our association lobbyists to help communicate our issues.

The committee typically meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 10 – 1pm and the location rotates between Eugene, Salem, Medford and Bend. For more information about our next meeting contact the committee chair.

Why You Should Join

OWUC provides its members with the ability to network with other water utilities of all sizes. It also monitors potential legislation and regulations that could impact the water industry giving members the ability to help shape these kinds of issues.

By joining OWUC you will help facilitate a coordinated effort by water utilities to communicate about the importance of water-related issues to state officials as well as help promote public awareness of the important issues and challenges facing the water industry today.

 

Officer Members

Rebecca Geisen

Chair

Portland Water Bureau

503-680-5122

Adam Denlinger

Vice Chair

Seal Rock Water Distict

541-563-3529

Mike Buettner

Secretary

City of Bend

541-388-5569

Dan Sleeth

Board Contact

Covington Water District

253-867-0950

2024 Washington Water Utility Council Invoice

The Oregon Water Utilities Council (OWUC) is a committee of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association. Your membership supports water utilities working together on legislative and regulatory issues that affect water providers across Oregon. OWUC actively engages in monitoring and influencing legislation, regulations, and issues relevant to drinking water utilities. OWUC relies on your support through your participation and dues to fund the professional services provided to us by subject matter experts and legal counsel. If you are not a member yet, please consider becoming one by paying dues.
OWUC was active on several fronts in 2023 and was successful in representing the drinking water providers of this state. Key areas of focus included informing policymakers about water rights challenges affecting water utilities and outreach for rulemaking and budget development activities by various state level agencies, including the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
OWUC dues can now be paid by credit card payments through PayPal by clicking on “Pay Dues Now” link below. For check payments, please print the online registration form and mail with your payment to the address listed.
Thank you for your participation and membership in the Oregon Water Utility Council.

Pay Your OWUC Dues Now!

2024 Tri-State WUC Meeting

November 7; 8:30 – 5:00

Heathman Lodge
7801 NE Greenwood Dr.
Vancouver, WA 98662

This year’s conference holds a packed agenda, with presentations covering key topics such as regulatory changes, workforce development, water quality, impact of housing goals on water supply, critical water law updates, and explore the definitions for disadvantaged communities and equity in the sector.

Register Now!