LO Tigard Water Partnership Expanding - Costs Increasing?

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the Oregonian reported that proponents of the LO-Tigard water partnership will expand the scope of the project and increase the costs of the project.   Its an interesting twist on the issues of concern involved in the project and an attempt to placate complaints form West Linn residents.   

The article states

"On Monday, partnership officials proposed expanding the water treatment plant to 38 million gallons a day capacity instead of initial plans for 32 million gallons and an increase of 6 million gallons on a future date. Joel Komerak, project director for the Lake Oswego-Tigard Water Partnership, told West Linn officials that Lake Oswego would allow 6 million gallons a day from its share to be available to West Linn in an emergency through the intertie.

Partnership officials estimate the 6 million gallons amount would be available to West Linn year-round through about 2026. If that amount were needed outside of peak water usage season, it would be available through 2041."

Needless to say the increased costs will have to be passed on to LO residents in the form of their water bills.   The council voted this month to increase rates 25.5% in March.    Already the online comments and bloggers are livid over the cost of water in our small city.    Despite the concerns and even fears the City Council continues to push forward on the project with ever increasing costs.   A recent article in the LO review drew substantially negative comments:   LO Water Rate Increases

The new Oregonian article including details can be found at:  LO Tigard Water Partnership Increases