What We Do
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) is the primary drinking water supplier in Washington County, Oregon. The Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant is responsible for treating, transmitting, and storing drinking water.
Due to the potential health effects of bacteria and other microscopic organisms that can be found in untreated water, the JWC Water Treatment Plant filters and chlorinates every drop of drinking water delivered to customers. To ensure drinking water meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water standards, hundreds of water samples are collected and tested each month by a state-certified laboratory.
Water Sources
All of the water treated by the Joint Water Commission (JWC) is “surface water,” which means it comes out of a river or reservoir.
Treatment
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) employs a rigorous, multi-step treatment process to transform raw water from the upper Tualatin River into safe, high-quality drinking water. Beginning with rapid mixing and flocculation, the process includes robust filtration, precise disinfection, and thoughtful pH adjustment before temporarily holding the treated water in a clearwell and sending it onward—either to storage in the Fernhill Reservoirs or directly into transmission pipelines for delivery to your tap.
Transmission
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) sends water to each of its five member agencies through gigantic pipes called "Transmission Lines".
Storage
The Joint Water Commission’s Fernhill Reservoirs play a critical role in ensuring a reliable supply of safe drinking water for the region. Together, these massive facilities can store up to 40 million gallons, making them among the largest potable water tanks in Oregon.
Projects and Plans
Discover how the Joint Water Commission (JWC) is strengthening its water system with cutting-edge upgrades, ongoing facility improvements, and strategic long-term planning to ensure a safe, reliable, and resilient water supply for communities across western Washington County.
Grants
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) actively supports efforts to safeguard the region’s drinking water quality through its Source Water Protection Grant Program. This initiative provides targeted funding for community-based projects that research, prevent, and mitigate contamination risks in watersheds feeding the JWC Water Treatment Plant, helping ensure clean, safe water for all.