A changing climate, aging infrastructure across the state, and lack of ongoing investment in clean water
have left Oregon’s water systems stressed, putting our health, safety, economy and environment at risk.
Communities of color, particularly those that are rural and low-income, are often on the frontlines of these
impacts, facing a wide range of threats, including rising utility rates, disparities in drought and flooding
vulnerability, and exposure to nitrates, pesticides, and heavy metals. In recognition of these challenges and the increasing vulnerability of
our water resources, the Oregon Water Futures Project was formed to
elevate water priorities from communities currently underrepresented or
historically discriminated against in water policy decision-making.
