The Origin of the Oswego Rural Water Company, Inc.

​In 1970 a group of Oswego citizens were attempting to get a water company started to supply the rural folks with clean, drinkable water, since the well water in this area was of extremely poor quality. A steering committee was formed and the preliminary steps were taken, meetings with the Engineers, the City Officials and attorneys. Yet the project was abandoned after a while. Unaware of the previous efforts, Inge Hamilton set out in the summer of 1979 to find a way to bring healthy and useable water to the area. After receiving enough information, she contacted some neighbors and in a short time there were enough interested people to hold the first meeting. In April 1980 we were incorporated. The project required lots of work and dedication, with the help of several volunteers potential customers were found. We fell short of our goal of 400 by one, yet the 399 signatures qualified us for a loan and grant from Farmers Home Administration. Construction began in 1983 and we were able to supply water in 1984.

​After the first phase of construction, more and more citizens of the community were interested in getting useable water. The Board of Directors began plans for another phase of construction and have to this date constructed four major extensions to serve the citizens of the community with healthy useable water.

​We are proud to state that as of January 2007 we service 1200 customers and more households join the Company every month.

​— The Board of Directors

UPDATE: As of June 2026 we proudly service 1541 customers and continue to grow.