Tri City Water and Sanitary Authority serves an area located approximately 20 miles south of Roseburg along Interstate 5 and the South Umpqua River. Tri City is unincorporated with a population of approximately 4,000 and encompassing just under 2,000 acres immediately south of the City of Myrtle Creek.

 In the 1950’s many residents of the Tri City area were finding that their personal wells weren’t adequate to provide safe drinking water. At that time area resident, Del Blanchard was instrumental in organizing Tri City Water District. Tri City Sanitary District was formed about a decade later in order to provide services where septic systems weren’t adequate and in order that new development and growth could take place.

 In 2004, Tri City Water District and Tri City Sanitary District dissolved by the vote of the people as separate entities and joined together as Tri City Water and Sanitary Authority. This was found to be the most cost effective way to provide service for a growing community and a way to protect the people of Tri City’s investment that was continuing to increase with new technology and expansion.

 The Authority owns, operates, and maintains a community water system which now includes a river intake on the South Umpqua River, a conventional water treatment plant (built in 1999), 4 finished water storage tanks, 2 distribution pump stations, and approximately 30 miles of water piping.

Average water demand during 2008 was 500,000 gallons per day or approximately 125 gallons per person. On hot summer days, demand reaches 1 million gallons per day.

As part of the Authority, the sanitary sewer collection system is operated serving the Tri City area. Wastewater collected within Tri City is conveyed to the City of Myrtle Creek where treatment is provided by the jointly owned wastewater treatment plant.

A new $13 million Wastewater Treatment Plant was built in 2004 as a joint venture between the two communities. During the time of planning, government grant opportunities that had been so prevalent in the 1970’s had dried up. Consequently only $500,000 was available in 2004 to finance the new wastewater plant, resulting in debt which has (in turn) caused the monthly sewer service fee to increase. The old plant was in serious violation and there was really no choice about replacing it. The new plant was built as cost effectively as possible.

Tri City Water and Sanitary also provides service for the South County Industrial Park which is just off I-5, exit 103. Winco Distribution Center and Lauren Young Tire Center  is located within the Park which also has room to add more industry.

It is with pride that the Authority continues to expand, accommodating future growth, providing exceptional services, and meeting the needs of area residents, commercial business, and industry.