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McKenzie River septic system assistance project

Approximately 4,000 homes in the McKenzie River watershed upstream of EWEB’s drinking water intake at Hayden Bridge rely on septic systems to dispose of their wastewater and sewage.

A typical septic system uses a tank to capture solids and a subsurface drain field where liquid waste is allowed to percolate through the soil, which acts as a natural filter. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of septic systems fail, often releasing untreated wastewater into the underlying groundwater and/or nearby surface water.

While EWEB’s water-filtration plant is designed to continually treat the raw water from the McKenzie River, increases in contaminants from failed septic systems could result in increased water treatment costs and reduced drinking water quality and taste.

Project goal
The McKenzie River has excellent drinking water quality. The goal of EWEB’s drinking water source protection program and affiliated projects, including the Septic System Assistance Project, is to maintain this high level of quality for future generations of customers.

EWEB received grant funds from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Program to implement the McKenzie River Septic System Assistance Project. Project goals include:

• Public education and outreach
• Water quality monitoring
• Free septic system inspections

EWEB will provide participating homeowners with educational materials, as well as a copy of the septic system inspection report with an aerial photo showing the location of their septic system and drainfield. EWEB has hired A & B Septic Service to conduct the free septic system inspections. Based on the results of the inspection, free pump-outs will be available, if needed.

Who can participate
The McKenzie River Septic System Assistance Project is a voluntary program for homeowners living in “higher risk” areas.

Participation forms
Interested homeowners will need to sign the Project Participation Form before they can receive a free inspection.

Participants are also asked to fill out a Customer Information Form for the septic system contractor, A&B Septic Service. The completed form can be sent by fax or mail directly to A&B Septic. The information will help the contractor provide homeowners with more efficient service.

Project timeline

For more information, contact Nancy Toth at 344-6311, ext. 3318, or Karl Morgenstern at 341-8552.

Learn more about EWEB's watershed protection efforts.