Water system upgrades
The Eugene Water & Electric Board's ability to provide nearly 200,000 people
and businesses with clean water from the McKenzie River depends on an efficient
and modern water-distribution system. Without water, we cannot survive.
But the 800 miles of pipes, 26 enclosed reservoirs and other facilities that deliver
water to customers' taps are in serious need of major reinvestments to ensure that
customers continue to get reliable, high-quality water.
To address a backlog of repairs, maintenance and improvements, EWEB has increased its efforts
to rebuild or replace aging infrastructure, parts of which date back to the early days of the utility's
founding in 1911.
EWEB is not alone in its need to address an aging water system. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency estimates that cities and public water districts need nearly $300
billion in upgrades.
Quick facts: Why we need to increase investment in our water system
See a list of current construction projects, many of which address the need to improve and repair
water system infrastructure.
In September 2007, EWEB commissioners approved a new Water Capital Improvement Plan
that addresses this need for increased spending. The plan calls for reinvesting
$130 million over the next decade to improve, repair and maintain the water system. An updated
Water Capital Improvement Plan was approved
in September 2011.
These investments come at a price, as water system improvements are largely funded
through rates and by development fees that are charged for new water hookups.
Currently, EWEB customers pay among the lowest water
rates among 11 comparable cities in
western Oregon and Washington.
EWEB water also is extremely cheap when compared to bottled water. A gallon of EWEB
water is less than two tenths of a penny (0.13 cents); a gallon of bottled water
costs $3 to $6, depending on the brand.