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 Patterson 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.
Dec. 3 2021

Dear East 40th Neighbors,
With just 11 blasts remaining for Tank #1, we have an opportunity to complete the blasting and drilling by Dec. 23 by increasing the number of blasts per week. The increased frequency will speed completion of the blasting phase of the project, with excavation for Tank #2 and rock hauling continuing over the winter months.
Following is the current blasting schedule:

Week of 12/7: 3 blasts
Tuesday 12/7
Wednesday 12/8
Thursday 12/9

Week of 12/13: 4 blasts
Monday 12/13
Tuesday 12/14
Wednesday 12/15
Thursday 12/16

Week of 12/20: 4 blasts
Monday 12/20
Tuesday 12/21
Wednesday 12/22
Thursday 12/23

Scheduled blasts will occur between 1-1:30 p.m. The actual blast will last only a couple of seconds.

This schedule assumes no unforeseen rock conditions or events that could delay the drilling and blasting process. We will notify neighbor of any needed changes.

Blasting safety reminders

Horn safety signals will sound 5 minutes and 1 minute before the blast and at the conclusion of the blast.

If you are near the construction site and hear a horn signal, please be aware blasting activity will occur shortly and follow instructions of site personnel or any additional signage that may be posted.

Update on excavation for Tank #2

Excavation for Tank #2 is proceeding ahead of schedule. So far, the contractor has been able to rely on excavators (diggers) to remove the underlying soil and rock for the second tank. As we reach the final 10-20% of excavation, additional methods may be needed depending on the type of rock encountered. We are hopeful that blasting might be avoided for Tank #2, but if the rock becomes too hard, a short period of blasting or mechanical excavation with an impact hammer might be necessary.

Within the next few weeks, the contractor will be able to determine the methods necessary to complete excavation for Tank #2.
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