Related News
Related News
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Your EWEB Rates at Work: Investing Today for a Resilient Tomorrow
For more than a century, EWEB has planned, built, and maintained the systems that deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible power and water to Eugene homes and businesses.
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EWEB’s water infrastructure projects designed for reliability during major disasters
As communities nationwide Imagine a Day Without Water, EWEB strives to ensure such a day never happens.
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EWEB lead annual "Spill Drill"
EWEB coordinates drill as part of protecting Eugene’s drinking water
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Salmon Return to Finn Rock Reach
Finn Rock Reach and other restoration projects throughout the Middle McKenzie provide conditions to help young fish survive to adulthood.
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EWEB programs reflect community values
EWEB is here to serve our customer-owners and provides programs that reflect the values of our community.
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EWEB Prepares for the Annual Observance of "Imagine a Day Without Water"
Water infrastructure is essential, invaluable, and in need of continuous investment. Read how EWEB's Staff and Board of Commissioners are working to safeguard Eugene's water future.
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Bethel neighbors boost emergency preparedness during Emergency Water Station event
Staff gave out about 300 emergency water containers to enthusiastic community members eager to learn more about the water station.
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How does EWEB recover the costs of serving customers
Here’s an overview of the three primary ways EWEB recovers the costs of serving customers and generates the funds needed to keep the power on and the water flowing.
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Women in STEM: Meet our servant leader and maker of tough decisions
Karen Kelley, Chief Operations Officer at EWEB, describes herself as a "servant leader," offering support and mentoring to four division managers at EWEB.
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Women in STEM: Meet the water quality specialist who ensures the safety of Eugene's drinking water
Brenda Casarez began working at EWEB in 2009, collecting samples from all over the water system testing for different contaminants.
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EWEB will close College Hill Reservoir site for Fourth of July
EWEB will continue the annual closure of its College Hill Reservoir over the Fourth of July holiday. For the past several years, EWEB has restricted access to the reservoir surface around the Fourth of July to ensure people do not set off fireworks which can damage the roof and potentially impact drinking water quality.
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EWEB, Partners Receive $7.5M Grant from NOAA
EWEB, McKenzie Watershed Council, McKenzie River Trust and the U.S. Forest Service are working to improve major tributary for water quality, wildfire resiliency and fish habitat.
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EWEB begins major water pipeline upgrades
This summer, EWEB is launching several construction water pipeline projects to enhance the reliability and earthquake resiliency of drinking water service for Eugene residents.
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EWEB Education Programs Invest in Eugene’s Future
Learn some of the many ways EWEB customers support local schools and help inspire kids to explore the wonders of watershed health and clean energy resources.
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Every Week is Infrastructure Week
National Infrastructure Week (May 14-20) may be a politically charged quip on the national stage, but for EWEB, the urgency and importance of infrastructure is no joke.
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Rigorous Testing Keeps Drinking Water Safe
May 07, 2020
EWEB and the American Water Works Association are observing Drinking Water Week by recognizing the vital role tap water plays in daily life, the infrastructure that is required to treat it and then distribute it to homes and businesses, and the important "behind the scenes" work of water professionals here in Eugene and throughout Oregon and the country.
Eugene residents enjoy some of the highest quality drinking water in the world. The water comes from the pristine McKenzie River, which emerges from Clear Lake, high in the Cascade Mountains, before flowing 85 miles to the Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant, where we draw water from the river.
We are privileged to have an excellent source of water. And our customers are fortunate to have reliable access to clean, healthy and safe water when they turn on the tap. In large part, this stems from the thousands of tests EWEB conducts each year in the McKenzie River watershed, inside the filtration plant and throughout the 800 miles of distribution piping that delivers water to homes and businesses. A summary of all the testing we do to ensure safe and healthy water is available in our just-released Water Quality Report.
That rigorous testing continues, despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus. Each year, EWEB conducts more than 85,000 tests and checks to make sure the your drinking water meets or exceeds the highest standards.
There have been questions about the coronavirus/COVID-19 and the interface with drinking water. EWEB's existing drinking water treatment protocols inactivate waterborne pathogens, including viruses, which prevents them from contaminating drinking water. EWEB's 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.
Shortly after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each reminded us that we should trust our tap water as we normally would for hygiene and hydration.
"This year's Drinking Water Week theme is 'There When You Need It'," said EWEB Water Operations Manager Karen Kelley. "This is aptly named given how essential tap water is in a pandemic. Handwashing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus, and it would be nearly impossible without high-quality drinking water."
For more information on EPA and CDC guidance, including frequently asked questions, click here.