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After serving Eugene for over 80 years, the 15-million-gallon (MG) College Hill Reservoir has reached the end of its useful life. EWEB will dismantle the leaky and antiquated reservoir and replace it in the next few years with new, modern drinking water storage tanks built to withstand major earthquakes.
Why is this project necessary?
EWEB's College Hill reservoir—which serves all Eugene homes and businesses, and provides emergency water for critical community needs, including fire suppression—is nearing the end of its useful life and fails to meet current seismic standards. It is unlikely to survive a major earthquake, resulting in Eugene losing critical supplies of safe drinking water in the event of a disaster.
In addition, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is requiring EWEB to rehabilitate or decommission the reservoir by the end of this year because of leaking roof joints, which creates the potential to degrade the water quality.
And from an operations standpoint, the College Hill reservoir does not drain and fill effectively, which impacts water quality.
Constructing a new water storage facility at College Hill and decommissioning the existing facility is the most cost-effective solution long-term and will improve water quality and resiliency for all Eugene residents.
Latest news and updates
SEPT. 15, 2023
Historic Mitigation Workshop Recap
We had a great turnout for the Sept. 12 College Hill Reservoir Historic Mitigation Workshop. Participants had many thoughtful questions and we appreciated the dialog.
Missed it?
- Intensive Level Survey: Long-form report with the background/history of the College Hill Reservoir System
- Response Letter from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) on the Intensive Level Survey
- Stakeholder Initiation Letter with the final "statement of significance" based on SHPO's response
Other key topics discussed:
Board update and draft site schematic
EWEB's Board of Commissioners heard an update on the College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project at their September 5 meeting.
Staff members covered the need for the project, the current status, and plans for public participation. A recording of the meeting is posted on YouTube and topics are indexed in the video description. Click on the College Hill topic to jump straight to the presentation.
During the meeting, Senior Engineer Laura Farthing showed an overhead image of the existing reservoir with an outline of the new circular tanks overlayed. This image is intended to show the size and shape of the new tanks relative to the existing one. It is not a final site design.
The final tank placement be determined during the project design phase over the next several months. Our hope is that the tanks can be located mostly within the footprint of the existing reservoir, as shown in the Board presentation. This would reduce excavation and project costs, and would retain about the same amount of concrete visible above ground as the existing structure, providing some consistency in viewshed for adjacent neighbors.
Once the tank site design is complete, EWEB will provide architectural renderings to help show what the site will look like with the new tanks in place.
AUGUST 24, 2023
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Ice Cream Social at the College Hill Reservoir last Thursday. We enjoyed meeting you and talking about the College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project.
For those who were unable to make it, here are some of the topics discussed:
- Timeline. EWEB is planning to drain the reservoir by the end of this year. The public will continue to have access to the top of the reservoir until we are ready to begin demolition in mid to late spring 2024.
- Tank siting and design. Final tank siting/design is scheduled to wrap up this fall. Right now, our hope is that the two new circular tanks will fit within the footprint of the existing active reservoir. We will share updates as design progresses.
- Public space. Space not occupied by the new tanks will be available for public use. Once design is underway and the footprint of the tanks is established, we will reach out to the public for help developing a landscape and recreation plan for the remainder of the site.
Public input opportunities:
Historic mitigation. Next month, we will hold an event to discuss ways we can mitigate the removal of the reservoir that provide the greatest public benefit. An invite with additional details will be distributed soon. Interested? Sign up for our email list.
Landscaping and recreation. Next year, once the tank siting is complete, we will ask for your help to develop a plan for landscape restoration, screening of the new tanks, and low-impact recreation facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone, while aligning with broader community values such as responsible use of funds, public safety, and ease of maintenance.
Why College Hill? Why now?
The existing College Hill Reservoir cannot be retrofitted to meet current seismic standards. It needs to be replaced with resilient water storage tanks that are built with modern, earthquake-conscious construction techniques. EWEB relies on the storage at College Hill to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to all residents of Eugene and maintain water pressure for fire suppression.
JUNE 13, 2023
EWEB is still in the early phases of planning future work at the College Hill Reservoir. No construction activity is scheduled to take place this year and we anticipate maintaining public access to the surface of the reservoir through 2023.
At this time, we anticipate beginning a public process on landscaping and recreation alternatives in mid-2023.
In the meantime, we are preparing to start a public process to generate ideas for honoring College Hill’s history. Oregon’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) identified the facilities at the College Hill Reservoir as historically significant and requires EWEB to take appropriate “mitigation measures” to address the loss of the historically significant structures.
Later this summer, we will begin inviting formal and informal input on historic mitigation measures. We will launch an online comment form, collect input at community events, and issue a community-wide survey to ask the public to ideate and comment on potential historic mitigation measures.
Throughout both phases of public input (Phase 1: Historic Mitigation and Phase 2: Landscaping and Recreation), EWEB is committed to listening to perspectives from a diverse group of customers, including those who live and play at the reservoir as well as customers who live outside the College Hill neighborhood but are impacted by the project through water rates, quality, safety, and reliability.
Read more from the June 13 update.
APRIL 5, 2023
Construction at College Hill Reservoir could begin as early as 2024. EWEB plans to replace the existing 15-million-gallon reservoir with two smaller tanks that will store 7.5 million gallons each, comparable to the tanks currently under construction at E. 40th. Smaller tanks are part of an EWEB strategy to diversify Eugene’s water storage system, enhancing resiliency, water quality, and operations.
EWEB informed neighbors in 2020 of plans to take College Hill out of service and has spent nearly three years evaluating a demolition and construction schedule.
At this time, EWEB anticipates that the public will continue to have access to the top of the existing reservoir at least through 2023, but the new tanks, once constructed, will be fenced to protect drinking water quality.
Timeline
EWEB will "decommission" (drain the water) the College Hill Reservoir before the end of 2023, pending completion of the replacement water storage project underway at E. 40th Ave.
At this time, we anticipate that the public will continue to have access to the top of the existing reservoir at least through 2023.
Demolition and construction could begin as early as 2024.
College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project Estimated Timeline (6/2023)
| Begin developing preliminary engineering designs and construction schedules | June 2023 |
| Farewell events and begin public input on historic mitigation measures | Summer 2023 |
| Complete public input on historic mitigation | Winter 2023 |
| Permenently drain the reservoir | Winter 2023 |
| Close reservoir and begin construction activity | 2024 |
| Begin public input on landscaping and recreation | 2024 |
Public Outreach & Involvement
We are committed to keeping our customer-owners informed about this project. In addition to information posted on this website, we will share regular updates through email, social media (follow us @EWEButility), traditional news media, and other channels.
For any property retained by EWEB and not used for water storage and protection, site neighbors and other residents will be invited to participate in decisions that involve:
- Landscape design such as trees, shrubs, berms and other vegetation features
- Public amenities (outside the fenced tanks) such as paths, ground surfaces, and spaces for recreational activities
- Honoring College Hill's history such as documenting the site, interpretive displays, and educational events
A public outreach and participation process will begin in 2023. Opportunities to be involved and share feedback will be advertised on this website and other channels.
Honoring College Hill's history
The College Hill Reservoirs were constructed in the 1930s with a Public Works Administration matching grant and are therefore considered significant historic features. EWEB has begun working with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and a consultant to ensure we follow recommendations for historically significant facilities. Part of this process includes a public process to gather input on mitigation strategies that appropriately honor College Hill historic features and its role in our community. We kicked off the public outreach and participation process this fall.
Ask a question and offer input
We are tracking questions and input from the public. If you are curious about a specific aspect of the project or want to submit a comment, email the EWEB project team at water.storage@eweb.org.
News and related resources
EWEB materials:
EWEB to replace aging College Hill Reservoir with new earthquake-proof storage tanks (4/5/2023)
Water storage improvements for College Hill Reservoir (FAN Newsletter) (July 2021)
Timeline may change for reservoir replacement (FAN Newsletter) (April 2021)
Neighbor meeting letter and FAQ (January 2020)
Summary of stakeholder interviews (August 2019)
News media coverage:
Register Guard (4/16/2023) Earthquake-proof storage tanks to replace College Hill Reservoir
KLCC (4/6/2023) On tap: major water storage changes in Eugene
KVAL (4/5/2023) EWEB's College Hill Reservoir being replaced following OHA inspection
KMTR (4/5/2023) EWEB replacing College Hill Water Reservoir
Whole Community News (4/5/2023) EWEB eyes 2024 start for new College Hill tanks
Register Guard Opinion (3/17/2022) Remembering the historic College Hill Reservoir 607
Eugene Weekly Viewpoint (6/17/2021) College Hill 607
Document library
Historical Research Associates, Inc. College Hill Reservoir Intensive Level Survey (May 2020)
Engineering structural evaluation (1/10/2014)
Frequently asked questions
What would happen to College Hill in an earthquake today and will the new water tanks be built to withstand a Cascadia level event?
The current facility was built without any consideration of seismic events and we can’t say for sure what will happen, but it would likely fail to hold water under any significant earthquake event. The new tanks will be built to the highest level of resiliency to withstand and provide drinking water after a major earthquake.
Why can’t EWEB repair tank?
The 80-year-old structure would require significant retrofitting and expensive maintenance to protect the drinking water inside. Even after these investments, the tanks would still be vulnerable to earthquake damage.
Is there any way to drain the tank and leave it in place?
No. Our community needs the stored water at College Hill to meet demand and ensure there is sufficient pressure in the system for firefighting and other public uses. To ensure everyone in Eugene has safe, reliable water, the existing tanks must be replaced with new storage.
Can we build replacement storage somewhere else?
No. College Hill is part of a network of tanks that must be at exactly 607 feet in elevation for Eugene’s gravity-fed water system to function. Vacant property at the right elevation is nearly impossible to acquire and it would not be practical or a responsible use of customer dollars to abandon College Hill.
Where will the new tanks be located and what will they look like?
This will be determined during the engineering planning process over the next several months. Our hope is that the tanks can be located mostly within the footprint of the existing reservoirs on the site with about the same amount of the tank visible above ground as the existing structure. EWEB will provide architectural renderings to help show what the site will look like with the new tanks in place.
Will the public be able to use the surface of the new tank(s)?
No. Contemporary public health standards require that drinking water facilities need to be secure to protect water quality. The new tanks will have decorative fencing/landscaping around the perimeter.
Will the public be able to use other areas of the site?
Yes. We plan to maintain open public space at College Hill.
Can I provide ideas and suggestions for public uses of the site?
Yes. However, decisions that affect water quality, safety, and engineering (such as tank size, siting, elevation, and security measures) must be made by qualified staff to comply with regulations.
The valuable opportunities for public input involve site aesthetics and amenities. For property retained by EWEB and not used for storing and protecting drinking water, site neighbors and other residents will be invited to participate in decisions that involve:
- Landscape design such as trees, shrubs, berms and other vegetation features
- Public amenities (outside the fenced tanks) such as paths, ground surfaces, and spaces for recreational activities
- Honoring College Hill's history such as documenting the site, interpretive displays, and educational events
The public participation process will start in 2023. Opportunities for public input will be widely advertised on EWEB’s website, through neighborhood association newsletters, email communications, and other channels.
Related Programs
E. 40th Water Storage Project
We are building two new 7.5 million gallon earthquake-proof tanks on an undeveloped 10-acre site.
Emergency Water Stations
We are working with community partners to develop an emergency water supply program that includes several permanent distribution sites located throughout the community using groundwater wells, as well as mobile water trailers.
Electric reliability projects
EWEB's 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for major infrastructure investments to rehabilitate, replace, and install new infrastructure will ensure we meet the current and future needs of our community, while maintaining reliable service.
