May 15, 2022
Case Study Highlights the Joint Water Commission
In the May 2022 American Water Works Association Journal, the June 2021 chlorine disruption that affected the region – including the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant – was featured as a case study. The study detailed:
- Current supply chain disruptions to the water industry during COVID-19.
- How three different US water suppliers – including the JWC – were successful in mitigating the disruptions.
- The proactive actions taken by the JWC to mitigate the chlorine shortage, and insights to benefit the broader water industry.
The chlorine disruption was caused by an equipment failure at a chlorine manufacturing facility on the West Coast and created a shortage for west coast and Oregon utilities. Chlorination disinfects drinking water and treats wastewater. Throughout this incident, the JWC Water Treatment Plant continued to treat water effectively and safely, all while ensuring that the water served to customers remained safe to drink and use.
Read the case study to learn more.
September 16, 2021
Joint Water Commission Highlighted as Tree for All Partner
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) was recently profiled in a Tree for All Partner Spotlight. The article celebrates the JWC’s commitment to source water protection, continued risk assessment, and water management and conservation measures.
Tree for All engages communities in watershed restoration projects throughout the Tualatin River Watershed. Learn how you can get involved here.
July 14, 2021
Joint Water Commission Continued Producing Safe Drinking Water during Chlorine Supply Disruption
Despite the recent chlorine supply shortage, the Joint Water Commission (JWC) continues to safely produce clean, high-quality drinking water for more than 450,000 customers in Washington County, Oregon. The JWC water treatment plant has maintained normal chlorine supply levels without any major interruptions in deliveries.
At the drinking water treatment plant in Forest Grove, Oregon, the JWC uses small amounts of chlorine in the water treatment process to disinfect and ensure water is safe to drink and use.
In early June, the JWC was notified of a major electrical failure at a chemical manufacturing plant in Longview, Washington, which in turn caused a critical chlorine supply shortage over the entire West Coast region.
JWC immediately notified partners of the regional shortage. Staff determined that the JWC chlorine supply on site was at a normal level, and set into motion operational adjustments to further extend the chlorine supply and continue producing clean, high-quality drinking water for customers.
Staff also began to acquire additional disinfection supplies from other manufacturers, and initiated coordination with local, state, and federal authorities to mitigate the shortage and support other utilities’ access to necessary chlorine supply. Through mutual aid agreements, JWC and many other water providers in the region worked cooperatively to ensure that all water providers had chlorine available for water treatment.
Over the next couple weeks, the JWC received several shipments of chlorine. The shipment allowed treatment and production of an uninterrupted supply of drinking water for JWC partner agencies – including the cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Beaverton, and the Tualatin Valley Water District – to serve to their respective customers.
By the week of June 21, the chlorine manufacturer successfully repaired the electrical failure, and began to produce chlorine.
JWC staff are exploring options to further ensure uninterrupted water treatment plant operations going forward, including alternative disinfection supplies and systems to reduce reliance on the limited number of chlorine manufacturers on the west coast.
“Protection of public health is the JWC’s highest priority,” said Niki Iverson, the JWC General Manager. “Due to partnerships, planning, and investment, the JWC and its partner agencies were prepared to respond to this situation, and help other utilities in the process.”
While this incident has been significantly resolved, customers and the community are encouraged to remain actively engaged in using water efficiently, especially during the upcoming summer months. For tips, visit JWCWater.org/Conservation.
June 17, 2021
Drinking Water Produced by the Joint Water Commission is Safe to Drink & Use During Chlorine Shortage
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) was recently notified of a chlorine shortage caused by an equipment failure at a manufacturing facility on the west coast.
As the primary drinking water supplier responsible for treating, transmitting, and storing potable water for more than 450,000 customers in Washington County, Oregon, the JWC is prepared to continue producing clean, high-quality drinking water for customers during the chlorine shortage.
At the JWC Water Treatment Plant in Forest Grove, Oregon, small amounts of chlorine is used in the treatment process to disinfect and ensure water is safe to drink and use.
Protection of public health is the JWC’s highest priority,” said Niki Iverson, the JWC General Manager. “The water produced by the JWC and served by its partners remains clean and safe to drink. The JWC can continue to adequately treat water during this time.”
The JWC has enough chlorine supplies on hand or committed to last through for more than a month. Based on the most updated information available, this timeframe is projected to be sufficient for the chlorine supplier to resume supply.
The JWC is working closely with local water utilities, the Oregon Governor’s Office, Oregon Emergency Management, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network, and federal authorities to mitigate this shortage.
“To be proactive, state-certified JWC drinking water operators have implemented measures to extend chlorine supply,” said Chris Wilson, the JWC Water Treatment Plant Manager. “The JWC is also working to acquire additional supplies from other manufacturers, all while also ensuring that the water remains safe to drink and use.”
Customers can help to extend the JWC’s existing supply of chlorine supply by reducing indoor and outdoor water use. For additional water efficiency tips, visit JWCWater.org/Conservation.
The JWC will keep partners informed of the situation and any further actions needed. For additional information or questions, customers are encouraged to contact their drinking water provider directly. To determine your drinking water provider by entering a service address, visit RegionalH2O.org/Our-Regions-Water/Drinking-Water-Advisory-Tool.