McKenzie River Septic System Assistance Project
The McKenzie River has excellent drinking water quality. The goal of EWEB's drinking
water source protection program and affiliated projects, including the Septic System
Assistance Project, is to maintain this high level of quality for future generations
of customers.
EWEB received grant funds from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Program to implement
the McKenzie River Septic System Assistance Project.
EWEB hired A&B Septic Service to conduct free septic system inspections for homeowners. Based on the
results of the inspection, free pump-outs were available, if needed. EWEB provided participating
homeowners with educational materials, as well as a copy of the septic system inspection report,
with an aerial photo showing the location of their septic system and drainfield.
The McKenzie River Septic System Assistance Project was a voluntary program for homeowners living in "higher risk" areas.
Approximately 25% of the septic systems in the McKenzie watershed were identified as posing the
highest risk to drinking water sources because they met all of the following criteria:
- Clustered with other septic systems on smaller lots
- Located adjacent to ditches, lakes, streams or rivers
- Located on thin or excessively permeable soils
| Summary statistics |
Summer 2008 |
Summer 2009 |
Total |
| Number of septic system inspections |
320 |
119 |
439 |
| Number of participants |
252 |
111 |
363 |
| Number of homeowners targeted |
880 |
212 |
1,092 |
| Participation percentage |
28.6% |
52.4% |
33.2% |
| Tanks pumped by A&B Septic |
46 |
49 |
95 |
| Tanks pumped by third party |
11 |
2 |
13 |
| Total number of tanks pumped |
57 |
51 |
108 |
| Average sludge accumulation |
7.6 inches
(291 records) |
8.9 inches
(119 records) |
4.5 inches
(41 records) |
| Average scum accumulation |
4.4 inches
(292 records) |
4.7 inches
(119 records) |
4.5 inches
(411 records) |
| Average tank age |
24.2 years
(105 records) |
24.5 years
(44 records) |
24.3 years
(149 records) |
Average cost per inspection,
including pump-out charges |
$200 |
$279 |
$221 |
Number of tanks associated with
repairs/possible water quality risk |
37 |
18 |
55 |
For more information, contact Karl Morgenstern at (541) 685-7365 or Nancy Toth at (541) 685-7438.
