Senators Wyden, Merkley & Representative Hoyle Applaud Federal Investment in Lane County Water System Infrastructure
Mapleton Water District to receive $925,000 to improve threatened raw water transmission line
Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, today announced a $925,000 investment in Mapleton Water District of Lane County to improve the district’s raw water transmission line, protecting it from potential landslides.
“These types of infrastructure improvements are crucial for the health of Oregonians and the land we live on,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified this big investment in the small community of Mapleton will shore up potential issues before they occur, saving money by preventing health or environmental concerns down the line.”
“As I hold town halls in every corner of Oregon, I hear serious concerns about aging water infrastructure, especially in rural communities,” said Merkley. “These federal funds will help ensure Mapleton can update its water treatment system to meet the future drinking water needs of the community and improve community resilience. As we face increasingly severe weather events due to climate chaos, I’ll continue to fight for safe and reliable water infrastructure for all Oregonians.”
“Rural communities need significant infrastructure investments to protect and modernize their water and sewer infrastructure, and disaster resilience,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This is a much needed investment for the city of Mapleton so they can modernize their infrastructure. I’m looking forward to seeing the project once it’s completed.”
This infrastructure improvement investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will go toward replacing the line, stabilizing the slope around the line to prevent future breaks, rebuilding undersized culverts, repairing an access road, installing a flood protection wall around the water treatment plant and installing a pre-treatment system.
"The staff and Board of the Mapleton Water District are both grateful and relieved at the news that the USDA Emergency grant has been awarded,” said Art Donnelly with the Mapleton Water District. “This will help us to mitigate the hazard to our water supply, after our ability to provide reliable service was almost ended by damage from a severe winter storm in 2023. We are especially thankful for the outstanding help received in this complicated process from USDA."
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