Why are We Doing This?

Hillsboro Water (HW) is a partner in the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Partnership (TBWSP) to secure a long term water supply source for the citizens of Hillsboro and greater Washington County. However, since initial investigation efforts began in early 2004, the estimated cost for the total project has increased from an estimated $250 million, for initial expansion facilities, to almost $1.3 billion for a larger expansion plus seismic rehabilitation costs. Due to this escalation in costs, the Department desires to explore a range of alternate source supply options as part of its fiduciary duties to identify the solution for our rate payers that provides a balance between cost and risk.

In consideration of the partnership, the Water Department has formed a multi-agency Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist in this exploration. Members from the TBWSP are part of the TAC including the City of Forest Grove, City of Beaverton, the Tualatin Valley Water District, and Clean Water Services. The proposed work will not only identify additional source supply alternatives, it will also pair up those additional alternatives to the existing alternatives being discussed at this time for side-by-side comparisons.

The purpose of this website is to provide information to Hillsboro Water customers and interested parties about the various source options under consideration. HW conducted a survey and found that its customers are very satisfied with the current Tualatin Watershed water source.  They also hope that decisions regarding future supply result in a reliable drinking water source of high quality and reasonable cost. This is Hillsboro Water’s goal and the reason for the Alternative Water Supply Analysis.