Marion County commissioners approved an estimated $450,000 agreement on Aug. 26, making Chemeketa Community College the raw water supplier for the Brooks community's new drinking water system for the next decade.
The deal is one piece of a $14.57 million infrastructure project funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to bring reliable drinking water to Brooks, a small unincorporated community north of Salem that has struggled with aging water equipment since at least 2018.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners convened as the Brooks Community Service District (BCSD) Governing Body during its Aug. 26 session and placed the intergovernmental agreement on its consent agenda.
Under the contract, Chemeketa will supply raw well water from its groundwater well at 4910 Brooklake Road NE on the college's firefighting school campus.
Brian Nicholas, Marion County Public Works department head, presented the contract to the board.
What the deal means for Brooks
The 10-year agreement sets water rates starting at $1.45 per 1,000 gallons in Year 1, rising to $1.77 per 1,000 gallons by Year 10.
If extended, annual rate increases are capped at 2.25%. The contract expires Aug. 19, 2036, but BCSD can extend it for two additional five-year terms, up to 20 years total.
The $450,000 figure is a rough estimate because water usage may vary and customers may be added over time.
The district must maintain a 72-hour emergency water reserve in its reservoir.
It also must make a good-faith effort to develop an alternate water source during the contract term. Failure to pursue that backup supply would be considered a material breach, forfeiting the right to extend the agreement.
Bigger project nearing completion
The water agreement is part of the broader Brooks-Hopmere Drinking Water Project.
Construction began in 2025 on the first phase, which includes a new water campus, a 750,000-gallon reservoir, a booster station, water-system extensions, fire hydrants and a raw-water connection to Chemeketa. County officials said in January the project remained on schedule for completion in November 2026, as the Salem Business Journal reported.
The system serves just 18 customers. It is not accepting new connections. County officials have estimated annual operating costs at about $88,000 and have been studying utility rates and connection fees to support the system long term.
Commissioner Kevin Cameron highlighted the Brooks water system as a priority during his State of the County address in March.
Other board action
The commissioners also ratified two labor contracts: a three-year deal with the Marion County District Attorney's Association valued at $751,875 in additional costs, and a two-year agreement with the Marion County Juvenile Employees Association at $653,012.
The board approved $263,200 in road construction amendments for North Fork Road projects.
The next major milestone for Brooks residents is the November 2026 target completion of the drinking water system's first phase, after which the county will determine when new water connections can begin.
