Skip to Content

Related News

  • Related News

  • Watch the Recording: Financial Preparedness for Disasters

    How will you financially recover after a disaster? This seminar gives key insights into preparing your finances ahead of time.

    Find Out More
  • EWEB reaffirms commitment to resilience with Wildfire Mitigation Plan approval

    The utility is testing new equipment, leveraging technology, and incorporating third-party expertise to bolster electric system resiliency to a range of threats, including wildfire.

    Find Out More
  • Water professionals showcase skills in Cascade to Coast Competition

    Representatives from local utilities competed to see who has the best-testing water, who can assemble a water meter the fastest and who find the most creative way to solve a routine problem that water utility professionals often face.

    Find Out More
  • McKenzie River Water Quality Remains Excellent

    The quality of the McKenzie River’s water remained excellent in 2024, according to the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s (EWEB) 2024 McKenzie Watershed Report, which was published this month.

    Find Out More
  • Energy demand reaches highest level in nearly a decade as utility prepares for ice

    Frigid temperatures in the low 20s caused surging electricity demand in early February.

    Find Out More
  • Show More
Wildfire Impacts Bring Increased Water Monitoring

September 18, 2020

Hayden Bridge water filtration plant intake on the McKenzie River

EWEB on Sept. 9 started an enhanced and comprehensive monitoring program of the source water pulled from the McKenzie River and the treated drinking water in response to the impacts of the Holiday Farm Fire.

The heightened monitoring for wildland fire byproducts includes fire suppression foam and the dry powered ammonium polyphosphate (fertilizer) used for aerial fire suppression. We are in communication with Fire Command to understand the types of materials being used to fight the fire.  

Based on review of product chemical data sheets, any water quality impacts from use of these chemicals will essentially be in the category of surfactants (foam) or fertilizer (aerial suppression). To date, the chemicals used in fire suppression do not contain polyfluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS. Click here to learn more about PFAS.  

The foam is made from the same basic ingredients used in soap, shampoo and detergent and is effectively treated at the filtration plant. The powdered ammonium polyphosphate dropped from planes is similar to fertilizer, which the filtration plant can also effectively treat.  

Results of this enhanced monitoring to date do not show impacts from fire suppression use, but as rains come and aerial use of the powder increases, this may change. Click here to view the latest monitoring results.

Our Hayden Bridge Filtration Plant treats and filters organic material, including dissolved organic carbon, fire suppression products and chemical contaminants, using the powdered active carbon (PAC) and rapid sand filtration systems. The PAC system works by adsorbing (attracting like a magnet) these organic material compounds to the carbon molecules. Once adsorbed to the PAC, the compounds are removed by the filtration process.  

The monitoring also includes other chemical contaminants that could enter the watershed such as materials from burned structures and vehicles. Such chemicals are effectively treated using the PAC system followed by filtration. Materials like fuels would likely volatilize during the fire, and any such substances remaining would volatilize as they traveled down the river.  

If any of this heightened monitoring shows any breakthrough of contaminants from the PAC system or filtration process at levels of public health concern, EWEB will notify our customers as soon as possible.  

We continue to monitor both the source water and treated drinking water to ensure its safety. Public health is our top priority as we strive to meet the expectations for reliable service to our community's homes and businesses.