The Mapleton Water District was established in 1951 to provide safe, reliable and convenient drinking water to the kitchen taps of a vibrant and growing community on the banks of the Siuslaw River. The majority of the early funding, expertise and manpower were provided by the Davidson Inds. sawmill, who many of the community were employed by. Once an intake system located on Berkshire Creek and the initial distribution lines were laid, the District started pumping water at a cost to most customers of $3.50 per month. By 1958 a modern pump and filtration plant were completed and most of our current 11 miles of distribution line were laid.

In 1974 the water system faced its first great challenge when a devastating landslide in Berkshire Creek destroyed the intake and water plant infrastructure. A major community volunteer effort and the passage of the Districts first bond measure combined to rebuild the system and rates were raised to $8.00 per month to help cover the expenses.

In the over 70 years since its establishment our community led and community owned water system has faced the challenges of maintaining the integrity of our drinking water through many more episodes of landslides, floods and fires. Again and again that has meant community members and local businesses volunteering labor and resources when needed to repair and rebuild. Growth and more stringent regulations have also demanded investment and raised rates over years. However with only 264 connections in the system producing revenue, the District has struggled to meet the costs of maintaining the system.

The Mapleton community drinking water system now faces its greatest challenge. From intake to kitchen faucet our aging system needs millions of dollars of investment in upgrades and replacement. A significant start to this process begins in 2023. The District plans on installing a state-of-the art treatment plant at our Berkshire Creek facility before year's end. Although the majority of the funding for this work will need to come in the form of Grants and Loans from the State and Federal government, the sense of responsibility and the hard work required to see it through , will come from our community working together for the benefit of each other.