City is working on boosting water supplies

By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 15th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The drought in Oregon is impacting water supplies in many communities. Pendleton Public Works Director Bob Patterson said the decrease in precipitation means water levels stored in aquifers are dropping.

“All entities and all agencies are having to look at the issue as it goes to their ability to provide water to their communities,” he said.

He said the aquifer storage and recovery program allows the city to be drought resistant, which is why a drought has not been declared at the local level. While the aquifer levels are decreasing, he said Pendleton has slowed the decline and is exploring options for the future.

“We are looking at additional water supply options, including drilling a new well and having it on line for the summer of 2023,” he said. “Meanwhile we will be having those discussions to start talking about do we expand the water plant and our aquifer storage program.”