Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nehalem council moves forward with OAWU water-management plan and hears public-works updates
Summary
The council approved moving forward with a Water Management and Conservation Plan from the Oregon Association of Water Utilities (OAWU), heard that the Anderson Creek raw water transmission main is functioning after trial runs, and agreed to install a 300-foot fence on 8th Street; council also discussed retaining the Quonset hut as building plans proceed.
The City of Nehalem Council voted on July 14 to proceed with a Water Management and Conservation Plan to be prepared by the Oregon Association of Water Utilities (OAWU). City Manager Lori Longfellow said the plan must be renewed by November 2026 and that the Water Resources Department requires the plan for compliance and for access to long-term loan opportunities. Tim Tice of OAWU told the council the plan does not change water quality or quantity and emphasized the Oregon Water Resources Department’s guidance that system water loss should not exceed 10%.
Tice also noted that new meters can increase revenue by about 6–7 percent depending on how poorly old meters read, providing a potential partial offset to rate changes. Mayor Chick and Councilor Larzelier noted the city’s roughly 900 acres of timberland and watershed should be reflected in the plan because of its connection to future water availability.
Councilor Larzelier moved to proceed with the OAWU proposal and Council President Howell seconded; the motion passed 3-0. In Public Works updates, Director Brian Moore reported that trial runs on the Anderson Creek raw water transmission main showed it is working and provides backup supply. Moore also requested the council proceed with installing a 300-foot chain-link fence on 8th Street—council gave consensus—and reviewed concept plans for a new public-works building, noting setbacks limit building size and staff preference to retain the existing Quonset hut.
The council’s vote authorizes staff to contract with OAWU for the conservation plan and continue public-works planning and fence installation; specific project schedules and funding breakdowns were not provided in the minutes.
