McKenzie River septic systems
Approximately 4,000 homes in the McKenzie River watershed upstream of EWEB's drinking
water intake at Hayden Bridge rely on septic systems to dispose of their wastewater
and sewage.
A typical septic system uses a tank to capture solids and a subsurface drainfield
where liquid waste is allowed to percolate through the soil, which acts as a natural
filter. Approximately 10-25% of septic systems fail, often releasing untreated
wastewater into the underlying groundwater and/or nearby surface water.
While EWEB's water-filtration plant is designed to continually treat the raw water
from the McKenzie River, increases in contaminants from failed septic systems could
result in increased water treatment costs and reduced drinking water quality and
taste.
Learn about homeowner assistance for maintaining, repairing or replacing your septic system and drainfield.
EWEB received grant funds from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Program to implement the McKenzie River Septic System
Assistance Project. Read more about the project goals and results.
