Milton-Freewater One Step Closer to Obtaining $13 Million Water System Grant

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill last week that included a $13 million authorization, which if passed by the Senate and if appropriated by the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, would be given to the City of Milton-Freewater for the replacement and expansion of a portion of the City’s outdated water supply system.

This biennial and bipartisan bill, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA), authorizes certain studies and projects presented by a congressman or congresswoman to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which, if approved by the Corp, becomes eligible for federal funding subject to appropriation by Congress.

In January of this year Congressman Bentz met with Milton-Freewater’s Mayor, City Manager, and a city counselor to discuss the City’s dire need for funding to replace one of the City’s three reservoirs, which reservoir is 70 years old, failing, and not repairable. Water and sewer rates in the city are already close to $80.00 per month.

Because there are other additional and unavoidable City utility improvements on the near horizon, City leaders are trying to avoid borrowing the $13 million, which would, of course, necessitate a water/sewer rate increase. They asked if the Congressman would assist them by requesting a WRDA authorization. Congressman Bentz did so and this first step was successful. A provision for Milton-Freewater has been included in the WRDA bill and, if this $13 million authorization is passed by the Senate and later appropriated through the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, the City would receive the $13 million.

Said Mike Odman, Mayor of Milton-Freewater: “The Middle Reservoir is a critical component of our municipal water system, and its replacement will help ensure a safe, reliable water supply for our residents for decades to come. Congressman Bentz and his office's responsiveness throughout the application process—from the initial project scoping conversations through submission—made a meaningful difference for a small community with limited grant-writing capacity. We are grateful for the time Congressman Bentz’s staff invested in understanding the project and advocating for it in Washington.”

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