Brooks Community Service District could secure its water supply from Chemeketa Community College for another decade under a proposed agreement worth an estimated $450,000.
The district’s governing body is scheduled to consider the intergovernmental agreement Wednesday, Aug. 26. Under the proposal, Chemeketa would supply raw well water that Brooks would purchase and distribute to customers in the unincorporated community. The agreement would run for 10 years.
The deal is part of a much larger effort to improve drinking-water infrastructure in Brooks.
Construction began last year on the first phase of the Brooks-Hopmere Drinking Water Project. The work includes a new water campus, a 750,000-gallon reservoir, booster station, water-system extensions, fire hydrants and a raw-water connection to Chemeketa. County officials said in January that the project remained on schedule for completion in November 2026.
Marion County has committed approximately $14.57 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the drinking-water improvements. The first phase is designed to connect Chemeketa’s well to the new system and replace portions of the existing distribution network.
Chemeketa already plays a central role in Brooks’ water supply. The college owns the small community water system that currently provides water to the district’s commercial water customers. Brooks is not currently accepting new water customers.
County records show the relationship stretches back years. Brooks and Chemeketa were working through water-supply and infrastructure issues as early as 2018 and 2019, when officials discussed aging equipment, metering problems and the need for a longer-term arrangement.
The new infrastructure could eventually allow the district to serve more properties. Earlier this year, officials discussed extending service to additional homes and businesses, although the system currently has only 18 existing customers slated to transition to the upgraded system.
Financing the expanded system remains another issue. County officials estimated annual operating costs of about $88,000 and have been studying utility rates, connection fees and other funding options to support the system long term.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners serves as the governing body for the Brooks Community Service District. The proposed Chemeketa agreement appears on Wednesday’s consent agenda
