About Us
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant is responsible for treating, transmitting, and storing drinking water. Four agencies share ownership in the JWC: the Cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Beaverton, and the Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD). Each member agency has individually owned water-related facilities, and varying levels of ownership in the JWC and the JWC’s water treatment, storage, and transmission facilities.
The JWC is a partnership agency that was formed in 1976 by an agreement between the cities of Hillsboro and Forest Grove. The two cities collaborated to build a water treatment plant and agreed to share other assets, including water rights, in order to improve water services to their two agencies. Other local water providers were also invited to join. The City of Beaverton became a partner in 1980. Tualatin Valley Water District became the fourth and final partner in 1994.
The JWC Water Treatment Plant has been expanded four times since its opening in 1976. In 1985, capacity increased from 20 to 30 million gallons per day (MGD). In 1991, capacity increased from 30 to 40 MDG, and in 1998, it was increased to 70 MGD. Finally, the Treatment Plant increased capacity to 85 MGD in 2019.
JWC Partners
Four agencies share ownership in the Joint Water Commission (JWC) including the Cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Beaverton, and the Tualatin Valley Water District.
All of the agencies serve areas in Washington County and have varying water source supplies and levels of ownership in the Joint Water Commission.
Commissioners
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) is run by a board of 12 Commissioners. Three Commissioners from each member agency are appointed by their respective agencies to serve. The Commission meets four times per year to approve the budget, receive project updates, and make any major decisions regarding JWC operations.
WTP Operating Staff
Chris Wilson oversees the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant, the largest conventional treatment plant in Oregon.
The JWC Water Treatment Plant and facilities are operated and maintained by 18 full-time employees.