For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

June 23, 2011

EWEB prohibits fireworks at College Hill Reservoir

The Eugene Water & Electric Board will continue the ban on all fireworks at its College Hill Reservoir to prevent damage to the facility.

The fireworks prohibition includes the entire surface of the reservoir, located at Lawrence Street and West 25th Avenue. However, legal fireworks can be used on the blacktop surface of the old reservoir to the north of the College Hill facility.

Fireworks lit off from the top of the reservoir in 2010 caused more than $2,500 in damage to the rubberized coating, which protects the drinking water from contamination.

EWEB ratepayers have invested $1 million since 2008 to make the reservoir and its water more secure and tamper-resistant, while upgrading the facility to allow public access to the top of the unofficial park.

Since the reservoir started operating in 1939, Eugene residents have used it and the surrounding open space as an unofficial park for picnics, star-gazing and bicycle riding.

In 1999, 2003 and again in 2005, EWEB considered fencing off the reservoir because of security and contamination concerns. Residents who live near the reservoir, along with the Friendly Area Neighbors group, objected to the concept of fencing the structure.

To relieve the tension between greater security of the water supply and residents’ desire to use the top as an unofficial park, EWEB commissioners in 2007 approved a series of security improvements and upgrades to retain public access.

Since then, the utility has spent $1 million on improvements that include joint hardening, slab sealing, head house fencing, installation of electronic surveillance and landscape security improvements.