Water issues have plagued Yamhill County for decades. Study after study has brought the issue to the attention of city and county officials and, still, no substantive community partnership has developed. Experts warn that the situation is critical, with some communities facing shortages as early as 2010.

What’s taking so long for cities to engage one another in both short- and long-term solutions?

The problem, officials say, is that the size of such an infrastructure investment is prohibitive for small towns without significant partnerships. That leads to the obvious question being asked of McMinnville Water & Light: Will the public utility consider a short-term leasing agreement with these cities until other plans emerge?

Not likely, in our opinion, since W&L must protect the present and future water supply for its own ratepayers. However, the city of Carlton presented a more viable option to the commission at a recent meeting — more about that later.

The water situation in McMinnville is secure for the foreseeable future with two well-developed reservoirs — Haskins Creek and McGuire — owned by Water & Light and supplied by rainwater and snowfall. Water flows through a treatment plan and then, by gravity, to four distribution reservoirs on Fox Ridge Road. The system, the supply and the quality of McMinnville’s water are the envy of the county’s smaller communities. Investment in its infrastructure has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of the utility’s long-term plan.

The most recent water resources study, done by HDR Engineering in 2008, recommends the development of a regional water system. Barring that, it suggests a west county partnership among Sheridan, Willamina and Amity, using the Upper Willamina Creek Reservoir, and development of the Willamette River for Newberg and Dundee in east county. Currently, Dayton and Lafayette share a well field, but have separate distribution systems.

Enter Carlton, with its intriguing approach. Mayor Kathie Oriet and City Manager Steven Weaver, in their recent presentation to the McMinnville commission, suggested that the two communities merge their water systems.

Panther Creek supplies Carlton’s water, but there isn’t enough for peak demand in summer. Because the creek is near McMinnville’s watershed, Carlton officials asked, why not share resources? In fact, said Oriet, Carlton would relinquish its water rights and transfer management authority to McMinnville. Carlton would benefit by having a guaranteed year-round water supply, and McMinnville would gain another revenue source and another treatment facility.

W&L commissioners seemed lukewarm to the proposal, suggesting that they would look more favorably at a regional compact than on an agreement with just one city. However, they did suggest that staff continue talks with Carlton and the county about the matter.

Diverse talks are needed throughout the county — now. Water pipes are deteriorating, and groundwater is in critically short supply, especially in Dayton and Lafayette.

We don’t have the answers, but we know that the Yamhill Valley needs some kind of regional water partnership, and some sort of viable water plan for the future.