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Water Storage Improvement Projects
Access to clean water is vital to our community.
EWEB is hard at work making sure safe, reliable water continues to flow even as critical infrastructure ages and new challenges arise. In the next decade, we plan to construct new water storage facilities near 40th Ave. and Donald St. and replace the water storage systems at EWEB's College Hill and Hawkins Hill sites. The projects will be built to seismic and contemporary operating standards, providing more than 40 million gallons of resilient, safe water storage.
Dear East 40th Neighbors,
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) lifted the temporary stay, clearing the way for work to continue on the water storage project.
Site preparation activities will resume on Thursday, Aug. 19 including prepping and felling the remaining trees within the construction footprint, stump removal, and ­­other work to prepare the site for excavation.
 
If you missed our last project update (8/13/21), click here to read about controlled blasting and inspections.
 
Reminders regarding general construction impacts
 
  • Workers, trucks, and equipment will generally begin arriving on-site around 7 a.m.
  • We will only do work during hours that the City of Eugene noise ordinance allows and we will communicate work hours as the work progresses.
  • Truck noise such as beeping is not easily mitigated as that is an OSHA-required safety feature and needs to be loud enough for someone to hear while wearing hearing protection. When possible, trucks will be routed around the site to avoid the need to back up.

While we can’t anticipate or mitigate all impacts, we will be responsive to your questions, suggestions, or concerns. Please reach out to us directly so that we can quickly address any issues that arise by email at water.storage@eweb.org or by phone at 541-685-7899.
 
Reminders regarding precautions related to fire risk
 
While there are no tree removal restrictions within the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary per City fire code, EWEB will adhere to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) restrictions and is taking other proactive risk mitigation measures. The contractors will adhere to the Industrial Fire Precautions (IFPL) work schedule, continuously monitor conditions throughout the day, and adjust work and mitigation strategies accordingly.
 
Additionally:
 
  • A new hydrant was installed at the west entrance of the property. This gives the contractor a path to install a fire hose across the site to have water available throughout construction.
  • The contractor will have two water trucks onsite, one dedicated for fire mitigation and one for dust mitigation.
  • The contractor is removing the vegetation around the work zone down to the bare ground and installing rock up to the tree line. This reduces fire risk and helps with dust mitigation.
  • A minimum 3-hour fire watch will be provided by the contractor after work stops for the day.
  • EWEB has been communicating with the Eugene Fire Department regarding schedule and mitigation plans. They are aware of the work and the work schedule and will be ready to respond if an issue should arise, as well as to consult with us if a red flag warning goes into effect in the area.
Contact us with questions
If you have questions or input, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the project team at
541-685-7899 or water.storage@eweb.org. Emails sent to this address will reach:

  • Laura Farthing, Project Manager/Senior Civil Engineer
  • Jen Connors, Communications Supervisor
  • Jeannine Parisi, Customer Relationship Manager
  • Wally McCullough, Water Engineering Supervisor