Association seeks $2.5 million to expand training and circuit-rider support for small water systems

Jason Green, executive director of the Oregon Association of Water Utilities, asked the committee to support House Bill 3121, a $2.5 million appropriation to contract with the association to provide technical assistance, develop a water utility training center and hire three staff to support small and very small community water systems.

Green described the association’s work — which began in 1977 — as a field-oriented, practical resource that provides training, emergency support and on-site help for utilities statewide. He said the organization currently provides free services, fee-based training and multiple conferences and highlighted a new training center that is under construction and expected to open in August. "We provide services to both nonmembers and members throughout the state of Oregon," Green said, and added that last year the association provided training to more than 1,500 utility personnel and nearly 500 hours of classroom instruction.

Committee members focused questions on consolidation and efficiency. Representative Marsh asked what the association is doing to encourage consolidation or consolidation alternatives; Green said the association supports locally led consolidation where appropriate and has been involved in county-level conversations to identify efficiencies and potential regional partnerships, while also stressing respect for local government roles.

Green emphasized the association’s emergency-response role — describing staff deployments during wildfire responses — and listed technical areas where the association assists utilities, including treated-water quality, infrastructure resilience, funding applications and emergency interties.

No committee action was taken during the hearing; the bill will proceed for staff and fiscal review.