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Clean Water Services and county lobbyists push for water reuse coordinator funding, PFAS study and stormwater investments
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Summary
Clean Water Services and Washington County lobbyists updated commissioners on HB 2169 to continue a DEQ water reuse coordinator, a proposed PFAS biosolids study (HB 2947), a potential PFAS firefighting-foam ban (SB 91A), and broader stormwater and permitting investments tied to housing growth.
Clean Water Services and Washington County government relations staff told the board on April 1 that they are tracking multiple bills on water reuse, PFAS and stormwater that the presenters said would affect permitting and project implementation across the county.
Tracy Rainey, Clean Water Services government relations manager, said HB 2169 would continue funding for a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reuse coordinator position created by the 2023 session; the bill would provide just under $600,000 to maintain that role, which Rainey said helps communities identify regulatory barriers and shepherd reuse projects through permitting. She said if the funding is not secured DEQ would likely cut the position.
Rainey said the water reuse bill has been voted out of policy committee and referred to Ways and Means and that it is likely to be included in a larger water omnibus package being negotiated.
PFAS and biosolids: Rainey described HB 2947, a biosolids study bill introduced at the request of the Association of Clean Water Agencies, which would fund Oregon State University to study PFAS occurrence in soils where biosolids are land-applied; the bill carries a fiscal impact of about $800,000. She said the county and Clean Water Services are advocating for the study to ensure state policy decisions are informed by Oregon-specific data. She also noted SB 91A, which would ban PFAS in firefighting foam effective July 2026 and has support from fire officials. HB 3512 (product phase-out) was described as a broader PFAS product bill that has raised definitional and budgetary questions.
Stormwater and housing: Rainey said there is a proposal to fund a statewide stormwater manual to help standardize templates for communities, an investment the governor's office has prioritized to support housing development. She said Clean Water Services will advocate to ensure the water-quality division has necessary capacity to process permits efficiently as housing bills advance.
Industrial symbiosis: The briefing also covered a pilot program in House Bill 3246 (industrial symbiosis) that would convert community waste products into resources via a Business Oregon pilot; the bill includes $1.3 million in general funds and clarifies county service district revenue authority for commodity sales.
Ending: Commissioners thanked the presenters and Clean Water Services for the briefing and mutual aid support referenced elsewhere in the meeting.
