Drinking water questions?
Call us at (541) 685-7861, or send us an email.
We deliver quality drinking water you can trust
When you turn on your tap, you expect the water to be pure, healthy and tasty. That is why we work hard to deliver water that meets or exceeds all state and federal health standards. In fact, we are proud to say we have never violated any Environmental Protection Agency water quality standard.
In 2019, we changed the way we disinfect drinking water, switching from chlorine gas to a liquid chlorine bleach that is manufactured on-site at our Hayden Bridge Filtration Plant. The new system, which uses coarse salt, water and electrolytic conversion to make sodium hypochlorite (bleach), allows us to store enough salt at the filtration plant to last three months. Read more.
EWEB's existing drinking water treatment protocols inactivate waterborne pathogens, including viruses, which prevents them from contaminating drinking water. Our drinking water meets or exceeds all drinking water standards, including 4-log (99.99%) inactivation of viruses as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Learn more:
Your drinking water's journey
Here's how we deliver safe and tasty water to you:
- Our drinking water begins a journey to your tap from the Cascade Mountains.
- We divert our community's water at the Hayden Bridge Filtration Plant.
- Our 24 pump stations keep water moving to homes and businesses throughout our service area.
- Our water travels through more than 800 miles of transmission and distribution main lines.
- Our 28 reservoirs store water to ensure good water pressure and a steady supply.
So turn on your tap and enjoy a glass of tasty and healthy water anytime day or night.
Water Filtration Process
Troubleshooting color, taste or smell
We work hard to make sure that high-quality drinking water flows from your tap. But sometimes the plumbing and fixtures in your home can affect the taste, odor or color of your water.
Learn more
Algae blooms and cyanotoxins
We monitor the McKenzie Watershed for cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) throughout the spring and summer to make sure your drinking water is safe. When we spot a bloom in Cougar Reservoir or Blue River Reservoir, we immediately begin sampling for cyanotoxins.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
On March 14, 2023, EPA announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS contaminants. “PFAS,” are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS have characteristics that make them useful in a variety of products, including nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, and firefighting foam. PFAS tend to break down extremely slowly in the environment and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.
We want to assure our customers that the drinking water delivered to your homes and businesses is safe and healthy. We have been monitoring for PFAS since 2013 and our results show that PFAS are not detected in our drinking water.
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Reducing lead exposure
Lead in the environment
There are many sources of lead in the environment, including dust, soil, air, food and water as well as residues from the discontinued use of lead based paint and leaded gasoline. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides simple steps that you can take to lower your chances of exposure to lead.
Lead in drinking water
Public health is our highest priority. We care about the health of the families that drink our water and we want to help limit your exposure to lead in drinking water. The main source of lead in water in the Eugene area is old household plumbing. Lead solder was commonly used in homes built or plumbed with copper pipes before 1986. Lead also can be found in brass faucets and fixtures installed prior to 2014.
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Drinking water reports and test results
Our technicians as well as independent laboratories collect and test more than 85,000 samples from source to tap each year. EWEB is proud to say that we have never violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard established by EPA.
Read the reports
Frequently asked questions about drinking water quality
Check out answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our water.
Water Quality FAQsMore information about your drinking water
Fire Recovery & Watershed Restoration
EWEB is heavily involved in protecting drinking water in the aftermath of the Holiday Farm Fire.
Protecting the McKenzie
Protecting the McKenzie River Watershed helps to ensure excellent drinking water quality for customers and residents today and into the future.
Water Conservation Tips
Check out ideas for saving water inside and outside of your home. You can also take advantage of our rebates for customer-side hand valves and ultra high efficiency toilets.
Water Reliablity Projects
We're making investments to prepare, replace and maintain our community's water system.
More about safe drinking water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides additional information about drinking water.
Oregon Health Authority
Learn more about drinking water from the Oregon Health Authority.
