The Confederate Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon announced on May 23, 2025, that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed the close-out of the Safe Drinking Water Act Emergency Administrative Order (emergency Order).

The Tribes were able to return to compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act after securing funding to make critical updates, including:

On May 23, 2025, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had confirmed the closure of the Safe Drinking Water Act Emergency Administrative Order, with the tribe’s drinking water system returning to compliance.

To meet the standards, the tribe used funding to complete several key upgrades: replacing outdated equipment and controls at the existing water treatment plant; replacing two major water main crossings and building redundancy lines; reconstructing 27 pressure reducing valve systems; conducting leak detection and system assessments to address water loss; and formulating and implementing water and wastewater master plans.

Dennis White, chairman of the tribal council, stated that ensuring access to clean drinking water is a top priority, made possible by good cooperation with state and federal governments. Chico Holiday, general manager of Public Utilities, noted that funding had addressed decades of undercapitalization, and the closure of the emergency order proved their efforts had paid off, with local drinking water quality consistently meeting and exceeding standards.

The improvements were supported by $7.8 million in state funding and collaboration with federal agencies including the EPA, Department of Agriculture, etc., reflecting the government’s responsibility to ensure clean water for tribes.

Date:May 30, 2025