Oregon City adopts updated water distribution design standards (Resolution 26-05)

Assistant City Engineer Josh Wheeler presented proposed revisions to Oregon City's Public Works water distribution system design standards and asked the commission to adopt Resolution 26-05. Wheeler said the updates codify practices that reflect current American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards, clarify where the public portion of a service line ends and the private portion begins, set testing timelines for new mains, and revise meter placement requirements from discretionary language to mandatory standards in some cases.

Wheeler cited examples where ambiguous guidance had led to construction conflicts or meter locations that made maintenance difficult, and explained the changes include: clearer definitions aligned to AWWA, explicit placement rules to reduce private-versus-public conflicts over meters, a clarification that some hydrants on private developments remain private (with color distinctions), and a process allowing staff to require corrective action after a limited contractor remediation period. "We turned it into a shall because where meters are being placed, they're in areas that are more likely to fail," Wheeler said.

Commissioners asked about exceptions for land divisions and state middle‑housing rules; Wheeler confirmed that in constrained situations the city will follow state law and allow easements when no other geometry is possible. After discussion the commission moved and unanimously approved Resolution 26-05 to adopt the revised water-distribution design standards.