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OPEN HOUSE MARKS BEGINNING OF PUBLIC DIALOGUE REGARDING LONG-TERM DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

Eugene Water & Electric Board is in the midst of creating a comprehensive plan that, when complete, will determine where the community's water comes from and how it is treated and distributed. An EWEB-sponsored citizen group is holding an Open House on the subject and they want the community to get involved.

"The project team and the citizen's group know that there is a lot of passion and awareness around drinking water issues," says EWEB Project Manager Brenda Sirois. "Because of that, we really want people to get involved now, early in the project."

The Open House will be held Monday, August 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at EWEB's Headquarters. EWEB staff and members of the citizen group will be available to talk about EWEB's current water system and the issues they are considering as they explore a number of supply options, conservation rates and programs, and more.

The citizen group will take the public's comments and concerns into account as it provides recommendations to the EWEB commissioners late this year. This is the first opportunity for public involvement around this topic; there will be further opportunities as the project progresses. At major points in the process, EWEB will invite the public to be involved.

Although EWEB is currently able to provide all its customers with all the water they want, market predictions and new construction of residences and industries indicate that EWEB will experience steep demand increases into the next century. The community-owned utility anticipates expanding its water system by 2005.

For more information about the Open House or about the Water Resource Planning project, contact EWEB's Water Division at 484-2411.