Oregon Water Utilities (OWU) acquired the water and wastewater systems of the Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond and Running Y Ranch in Klamath Falls in 2017. Oregon Water Utilities subsequently added more customers and systems at the Southview and Pinecrest developments near Klamath Falls and Brasada Ranch near Redmond.
What we do in Oregon
Oregon Water Utilities provides our communities access to the technical, managerial, and financial reliability of a larger utility while continuing personalized local service with our Oregon-based teams. We were fortunate to welcome to our team long-term employees who were serving the utility prior to the acquisition and have encouraged the advancement of their professional skills and certifications. Their local experience, knowledge of our systems, and existing relationships are unique and invaluable.
It is a privilege to provide excellent service to our water and wastewater customers; we work continuously to improve their experience. They already have access to several convenient account service options, including our website, an automated phone system, and a US-based call center staffed with long-tenured customer care professionals. Our team also provides maintenance services directly to customers, including annual backflow prevention device testing and planned and emergency septic tank maintenance.
Our Impact & Acquisitions
Oregon Water Utilities has worked hard to develop personal relationships with residents and their homeowner associations to understand their needs and concerns, earn their trust, and keep them apprised of important updates regarding the utility. OWU particularly enjoys an ongoing partnership with the homeowners association at Eagle Crest Resort, called the Ridge at Eagle Crest Owners Association, on the important work of removing fire fuels to reduce the community’s exposure to wildfire risk.
Since acquiring these systems, Oregon Water Utilities has invested in technology and infrastructure to increase the reliability of the systems in these areas, which are subject to wildfires and winter storms. For example, at Eagle Crest Resort, Oregon Water Utilities installed backup power generators, made electrical improvements, and added fuel storage to ensure water service continues even during extended power outages.
Our Commitment
We are focused on the safety of our customers and employees and the protection of the environment. Oregon Water Utilities has an excellent safety and environmental compliance record. We have also used our extensive regulatory experience to successfully process applications for approval of acquisitions and other required regulatory filings with the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
Oregon Water Utilities is a willing partner ready to provide your community with safe, reliable, and affordable service.
Taking A Closer Look
Cline Butte & The Running Y
When Oregon Resorts Acquisition Partners (ORAP) decided to divest its ownership of the water and wastewater utilities that service the Eagle Crest and Running Y resorts in central Oregon to focus on its core competencies, they found a capable buyer in SouthWest Water Company. Aside from a fair price, ORAP had other goals: allow it to focus on operating resorts and continuance of the strong customer service it had provided the utility customers over the years.
SouthWest Water Company offered an attractive purchase price, made employment offers for existing employees, and struck a deal with ORAP for ORAP to continue providing customer service support while SouthWest Water Company transitioned ownership, minimizing the effects on customers. ORAP and SouthWest Water Company also agreed to purchase emergency generators to continue providing service to customers in the event of power loss. The transaction was another win for the owner, the customer, and SouthWest Water Company.
Pristine
Pristine Water Source (Pristine) is a non-regulated utility with exclusive rights to provide potable water and wastewater collection to over one hundred customers in a residential development near Klamath Falls, OR. SWWC purchased the utility from Premier Community Bank after the residential development went into receivership. The bank operated the systems for several years before realizing the long-term growth of the development would be better served by a full-time professional water services provider. SouthWest Water Company offered an attractive purchase price and helped the owner accomplish its goals. The real estate market has taken a positive turn, and development within Pristine’s service territory has resumed again, with water and wastewater services supportive of the growth. The new SouthWest Water Company customers will benefit from Automated Meter Reading systems, 24/7 professional operations, and more robust payment options.
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