The City of Lebanon was awarded $2 million in state funding during the 2026 Oregon Legislative Short Session to support critical upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment facility. The funding will help modernize infrastructure and improve treatment capacity, helping ensure the long-term protection of public health and local waterways.
The investment will support planned improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment system, allowing Lebanon to address aging infrastructure, enhance operational reliability and safety, and accommodate future community growth including housing. The upgrades will also help the Lebanon continue to meet state and federal water quality standards while protecting the South Santiam River.
“This funding is a significant investment in Lebanon’s future, and we are grateful for the support of the Legislature this session,” City Manager Ron Whitlatch said. “Modern wastewater infrastructure is essential to protecting public health, supporting economic development and safeguarding the natural resources that our community depends on.”
Lebanon’s wastewater treatment facility serves almost 20,000 residents and hundreds of businesses, and plays a critical role in maintaining environmental quality in the region. As population and economic activity grow, infrastructure improvements are necessary to ensure the system can continue operating efficiently and reliably.
The funding comes after the city’s second year of direct and strategic legislative engagement. City officials expressed appreciation to members of the Oregon Legislature for recognizing the importance of investing in local infrastructure during the short session.
“We are grateful to Rep. Jami Cate for putting the request forward, and to Senator Fred Girod and members of the Joint Ways and Means Committee for supporting this project,” Mayor Ken Jackola said. “These resources will help us continue to support community growth and deliver essential services to Lebanon residents while protecting our local waterways.”
Planning and engineering work for the upgrades will move forward in coordination with state regulatory agencies. Construction timelines will be announced as project design progresses.
For more information about the project, contact City Manager Ron Whitlatch at [email protected].