BEND, Ore. (AP) - The Bend City Council voted to sell a condemned water system to two private companies.
The Bulletin newspaper reports (https://is.gd/3Qocvw ) the Juniper Utility Co. water system has long been a problem for the city.
Developer Jan Ward built the system in the 1970s to serve subdivisions on his family’s old dairy ranch.
In 1998, the Oregon Public Utility Commission enforced rates Ward felt were too low, which led him to decrease water pressure. Three years later, the council condemned the system after residents complained about their difficulty taking showers and doing laundry.
A legal battle followed and the city ended up paying Ward nearly $10 million in a settlement.
Most of the system is being purchased by Roats Water System, a privately held water utility company owned by the family of Councilor Casey Roats. He recused himself from Wednesday’s vote.
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Information from: The Bulletin, https://www.bendbulletin.com
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