We are fully committed to ensuring safe and healthy drinking water, that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards, is provided to our community. We regularly test water samples from our Water Distribution System.  Our technicians as well as independent laboratories collect and test more than 85,000 samples from source to tap each year. 

A "boil-water advisory" is a precautionary notice issued when a community's drinking water is or could be contaminated by disease-causing organisms. It is a preventative measure that is intended to protect the health of water consumers when there is an actual or significant possibility that contamination may be present within the drinking water system.  

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels it dissolves naturally-occuring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. 

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.

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.

Cross connection control and backflow prevention are vital parts of keeping drinking water safe throughout EWEB's water distribution system and within your home or business.

The Oregon Plumbing Speciality Code (OPSC) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) require the installation and annual testing of backflow prevention assemblies to protect the public water supply from contamination. Backflow prevention assemblies must be installed and tested annually by an Oregon Health Authority-certified backflow tester. EWEB staff inspect all new, replaced and removed assemblies.

In the next decade, we plan significant upgrades to the existing water storage systems at EWEB's College Hill and Hawkins Hill sites, and a new water storage facility near East 40th Avenue and Patterson Street. Construction is underway at East 40th; these new tanks will provide 15 million gallons of seismically resilient drinking water storage for all of Eugene, and make it possible to replace aging infrastructure in other areas of the community.