Rainbow Water and Fire District

Rainbow Water and Fire District is a public water utility and special district in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Its legal name is Rainbow Water and Fire District, and it does business as Rainbow Water District. The district was established by a Lane County election on August 22, 1949, when residents voted to form a district for the purpose of supplying water for drinking and household use. Its enabling act is ORS Chapter 264. In 1952, district residents empowered the district to also provide protection from fire, which is reflected in its legal name. The district proudly serves excellent quality well water to its retail customers in north and west Springfield, primarily north of Hayden Bridge Road and west of Aspen Street. Indirectly, it supplies water for other Springfield Utility Board (SUB) North System customers, Springfield homes and businesses, through a wholesale contract with the Springfield Utility Board. The district is served by a five-member Board of Commissioners, volunteers and residents of the district elected to staggered four-year terms. The Board meets monthly and appoints an additional five volunteer members to serve with the Board as the Budget Committee. The Board annually selects a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from their members. Operationally, Rainbow Water District maintains wells, reservoirs, water mains, valves, fire hydrants and meters. Its water sources include seasonal sources and wells, and its storage includes Kelly Reservoir on Kelly Butte and Moe Reservoir on Vitus Butte. The district performs routine maintenance such as hydrant flushing, valve exercising, well pump maintenance, reservoir painting and inspection, and water main and valve installation. It has also upgraded water meters to digital and installed flow meters and carbon filters in its treatment system. Jamie Porter was hired by the Board of Commissioners as Rainbow's Superintendent in July 2010. Jamie is only the fifth Superintendent in Rainbow's 77-year history. Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Portland State University, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon, in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Jamie has over 20 years of experience prior to Rainbow that includes environmental consulting, operating a steam plant in the US Navy on a nuclear submarine, seven years in wastewater operations and public works engineering for the City of Wilsonville, and eight years as a non-profit business administrator. Jamie wears multiple hats in his Chief Executive Officer role at Rainbow, with involvement in all aspects of office administration and water operations. Assistant Superintendent is Eric Carlson, a 17-year employee, who serves as the DRC (Direct Responsible Charge) for Rainbow and four of its contract water systems. Office Manager Jodi Sanders is a 22-year employee who manages bookkeeping, billing and audits for Rainbow and 5 contract district customers. In September 2026, Rainbow is excited to announce the launch of a new and user-friendly text messaging service designed to keep residents informed. The district continues to operate and maintain its system for its retail and wholesale customers in the Springfield area.

Rainbow Water and Fire District was established by a Lane County election on August 22, 1949, when residents voted to form the district for the purpose of supplying water for drinking and household use. Its enabling act is ORS Chapter 264. In 1952, district residents empowered the district to also provide protection from fire, which is reflected in its legal name, Rainbow Water and Fire District. The district does business as Rainbow Water District. Since its founding, the district has served north and west Springfield, Oregon, primarily north of Hayden Bridge Road and west of Aspen Street. It supplies excellent quality well water to retail customers and, through a wholesale contract with the Springfield Utility Board, indirectly supplies water for other SUB North System customers, Springfield homes and businesses. The district is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, volunteers and residents of the district elected to staggered four-year terms. The Board meets monthly and appoints an additional five volunteer members to serve with the Board as the Budget Committee. The Board annually selects a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer from their members. Operationally, the district has maintained and upgraded its water system over decades. It operates wells, reservoirs, water mains, valves, fire hydrants and meters. Its storage includes Kelly Reservoir on Kelly Butte and Moe Reservoir on Vitus Butte. Maintenance activities include hydrant flushing, valve exercising, well pump maintenance, reservoir painting and inspection, and water main and valve installation. The district has also upgraded water meters to digital and installed flow meters and carbon filters in its treatment system. In July 2010, Jamie Porter was hired by the Board of Commissioners as Rainbow's Superintendent. Jamie is only the fifth Superintendent in Rainbow's 77-year history. Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Portland State University, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon, in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Jamie has over 20 years of experience prior to Rainbow that includes environmental consulting, operating a steam plant in the US Navy on a nuclear submarine, seven years in wastewater operations and public works engineering for the City of Wilsonville, and eight years as a non-profit business administrator. Jamie wears multiple hats in his Chief Executive Officer role at Rainbow, with involvement in all aspects of office administration and water operations. Assistant Superintendent is Eric Carlson, a 17-year employee, who serves as the DRC for Rainbow and four of its contract water systems. Office Manager Jodi Sanders is a 22-year employee who manages bookkeeping, billing and audits for Rainbow and 5 contract district customers. In September 2026, Rainbow is excited to announce the launch of a new and user-friendly text messaging service designed to keep residents informed. The district continues to operate and maintain its system for its retail and wholesale customers in the Springfield area.

• Established by Lane County election to supply water for drinking and household use.

• District residents empowered the district to also provide protection from fire.

• Jamie Porter hired as Superintendent, the fifth in Rainbow's 77-year history.

• Launch of new text messaging service to keep residents informed.

A community-owned special district providing high-quality well water and fire protection to north and west Springfield, Oregon, since 1949.

• Drinking water

• Household water

• Wholesale water supply

• Fire protection

1. 1Homepage Rainbow Water Districtrwdonline.net
2. 2Our Staff - Rainbow Water Districtrwdonline.net
3. 3Water Project History - Rainbow Water Districtrwdonline.net
4. 4About Us - Rainbow Water Districtrwdonline.net
5. 5Rainbow Water and Fire District - Wikidatawikidata.org