College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project

Learn more about the design of the new earthquake-resistant water storage tanks at College Hill.

Visit page

EWEB "decommissioned" (drained the water) the College Hill Reservoir in winter 2023, after the successful completion of the replacement water storage project at E. 40th Ave.

The public will continue to have access to the top of the existing reservoir until July 8, 2024.

We anticipate demolition to begin in late July or early August. The process of removing the existing structures and preparing the site for construction will take approximately 8-10 months. 

College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project Estimated Timeline (6/2024)

We are committed to keeping our customer-owners informed about this project. In addition to information posted on this website, we will share regular updates through email, social media (follow us @EWEButility), traditional news media, and other channels.

Email Updates

June 26, 2024: Official Closure Scheduled for Monday, July 8

June 6, 2024: Photos, Stories, and News Coverage of Our Fond Farewell

April 29, 2024: You're Invited: College Hill Reservoir Farewell Celebration

April 26, 2024: Info on upcoming pothole work, native plant repurposing, and the farewell event.

> View More

Board Meetings

April 2, 2024: College Hill 607 Reservoir Replacement Update memo and recorded presentation.

Sept. 5, 2023: College Hill Construction and Public Outreach Plans memo and recorded presentation.

News Stories

The Register Guard, June 2, 2024: Eugene says goodbye to 80-year-old College Hill Reservoir. Here's what happens next

KVAL, May 31, 2024 EWEB holds celebration to bid farewell to College Hill Reservoir

KEZI, May 31, 2024 College Hill neighborhood bids farewell to College Hill Reservoir

KLCC, May 31, 2024 Friends and neighbors bid farewell to Eugene’s College Hill Reservoir

> View More

We are tracking questions and input from the public. If you are curious about a specific aspect of the project or want to submit a comment, email the EWEB project team at water.storage@eweb.org.

What would happen to College Hill in an earthquake today and will the new water tanks be built to withstand a Cascadia level event?

The current facility was built without any consideration of seismic events and we can’t say for sure what will happen, but it would likely fail to hold water under any significant earthquake event. The new tanks will be built to the highest level of resiliency to withstand and provide drinking water after a major earthquake.

Why can’t EWEB repair tank?

The 80-year-old structure would require significant retrofitting and expensive maintenance to protect the drinking water inside. Even after these investments, the tanks would still be vulnerable to earthquake damage.

Is there any way to drain the tank and leave it in place?

No. Our community needs the stored water at College Hill to meet demand and ensure there is sufficient pressure in the system for firefighting and other public uses. To ensure everyone in Eugene has safe, reliable water, the existing tanks must be replaced with new storage.

Can we build replacement storage somewhere else?

No. College Hill is part of a network of tanks that must be at exactly 607 feet in elevation for Eugene’s gravity-fed water system to function. Vacant property at the right elevation is nearly impossible to acquire and it would not be practical or a responsible use of customer dollars to abandon College Hill. 

Where will the new tanks be located and what will they look like?

This will be determined during the engineering planning process over the next several months. Our hope is that the tanks can be located mostly within the footprint of the existing reservoirs on the site with about the same amount of the tank visible above ground as the existing structure. EWEB will provide architectural renderings to help show what the site will look like with the new tanks in place. 

Will the public be able to use the surface of the new tank(s)? 

No. Contemporary public health standards require that drinking water facilities need to be secure to protect water quality. The new tanks will have decorative fencing/landscaping around the perimeter.

Will the public be able to use other areas of the site?

Yes. We plan to maintain open public space at College Hill.

What will happen to the trees along Lincoln Street?

No final decisions have been made about the trees along Lincoln Street, however, EWEB is committed to doing everything we can to minimize tree impacts. The team is getting underway on developing engineering and construction plans for the tanks. Once those plans are set, EWEB work with a local certified arborist to determine which trees will need to be removed to facilitate the safe and efficient construction of the tanks. 

Can I provide ideas and suggestions for public uses of the site?

Yes. However, decisions that affect water quality, safety, and engineering (such as tank size, siting, elevation, and security measures) must be made by qualified staff to comply with regulations. 

The valuable opportunities for public input involve site aesthetics and amenities. For property retained by EWEB and not used for storing and protecting drinking water, site neighbors and other residents will be invited to participate in decisions that involve:

• Landscape design such as trees, shrubs, berms and other vegetation features
• Public amenities (outside the fenced tanks) such as paths, ground surfaces, and spaces for recreational activities
• Honoring College Hill's history such as documenting the site, interpretive displays, and educational events

Opportunities for public input will be widely advertised on EWEB’s website, through neighborhood association newsletters, email communications, and other channels. Currently, you can use the “Submit a Comment” link on the Landscaping and Amenities webpage or email your input to water.storage@eweb.org. Input is tracked and published on the website in batches for public viewing. Later in 2024 and continuing into 2025, we will engage in a more formal public engagement process. 

Will blasting be used during demolition and earthwork? 

Geological reports indicated that controlled drilling and blasting may be necessary to loosen and fragment rock materials to a size that can be removed, transported, or crushed. If blasting is confirmed to be a necessary step, neighbors will be informed in advance, including a safety plan, vibration monitoring plan, and work schedule. Pre-blast inspections of structures and privately-owned residences will be offered to neighbors within 300 feet of the areas to be blasted. The purpose of the inspection is to document the condition of structures, foundations, and windows prior to exposure to potential vibration from blasting. EWEB will work with the contractor to contact property owners to schedule pre-blast inspections. There is no charge to the property owner and inspections are optional, but highly encouraged. 

What routes will be used by construction vehicles? 

This will be determined by the contractor. As soon as truck routes are determined, EWEB will share this information publicly. 

What are the hours of work? 

Work will typically begin at 7 a.m. and conclude by 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 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. 

Will the future site include a flat, hard surface for roller sports and similar activities? 

Decisions about future site design and public uses will be made after a public engagement process and will be based on several factors including: 

• Safety - Public spaces must be safe, accessible, and welcoming to all users. Features that could become an attractive nuisance will be avoided to encourage safe and positive use of the space. 
• Water Quality - The design of public spaces must support the efficient operation of water infrastructure by providing unimpeded access to the tanks by EWEB personnel and restricting public access to the tanks to protect water quality.    
• Cost - All EWEB customers share in the expense of these improvements. Our goal will be to maximize the benefit of public spaces while minimizing costs. This includes both up-front and long-term costs such as ongoing maintenance and repair.   
• Environmental Considerations - The design and construction of public space will consider environmental impacts in urban settings. This includes considering the use of sustainable materials, reducing the carbon footprint of construction activities, managing stormwater runoff to prevent pollution, and promoting green infrastructure such as permeable surfaces and native landscaping to enhance urban biodiversity and reduce heat island effects. 
• Community Considerations - We will strive to identify and gather perspectives from a diverse group of customers, including those who live and recreate at the reservoir as well as customers who live outside the College Hill neighborhood but are impacted by the project through water rates, quality, safety, and reliability.