EPA, IHS fully fund reservation’s $23M water treatment plant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Indian Health Service (HIS) announced that they have completed a formal agreement that provides more than $23 million to build a new water treatment plant at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

The new plant will treat water from the Deschutes River using up-to-date technologies and ensure consistent high quality drinking water standards. The design phase is expected to begin in 2023.

IHS obligated $13,601,000 toward the project and EPA provided $10,262,000. Nearly all the funding is the result of the Infrastructure Invest and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Interagency Agreement between EPA and IHS fully funds a new, modern plant that will ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for the 3,800 people in the Warm Springs community,” says Casey Sixkiller, EPA Region 10 Administrator. “This is the largest tribal water system award in Region 10 and we’re proud to be a part of such a historic investment in our community.”

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ leadership prioritized work with EPA, IHS, and other federal and state agencies over several years to plan the project. The Warm Springs Public Water System currently operates an aging water treatment plant that was temporarily shut down earlier this year due to a fire.

“I am grateful that our senators, EPA, and IHS have all stepped up to tackle the water quality challenge at Warm Springs.” Says Jonathan Smith, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council Chairman. “This is an historic investment that will be deeply appreciated by Warm Springs people for decades to come."