The Washington County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Clean Water Services board of directors, approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Forest Grove on Dec. 16 to carry out final design and construction for the Forest Grove Rehabilitation Phase 3 project (CWS Project 7153).

Interim CWS General Manager Rick Shanley introduced the project and noted a federal grant secured with assistance from Congresswoman Bonamici’s office. Chris Faulkner presented project details: the work focuses on inflow and infiltration (I&I) reductions in the Forest Grove Water Resource Recovery Facility basin, replacing aging concrete and clay pipelines—some approaching 90 years in service. The plan uses trenchless pipe-bursting to limit community disruption, and will include permitting, property access agreements and public notifications. Faulkner said the total project cost is “a little over about $2,000,000,” with typical funding structured as a 50/50 split between Clean Water Services and local jurisdictions; the grant will cover Forest Grove’s local share for construction and roughly $50,000 per jurisdiction for final design costs.

Commissioners asked how project prioritization works; Faulkner explained the Capital Improvement Program Participation (CIPP) committee (representatives from cities and CWS) meets monthly to review potential capital projects and advise prioritization. After discussion the board moved and approved the intergovernmental agreement for final design and construction; the motion was recorded as carrying unanimously on the dais.