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For nearly 90 years, the community of Eugene has relied on the McKenzie River as our only source of drinking water. Of the 20 largest cities in the Northwest, Eugene is the only one with a single source. If something happened—there was a chemical spill, a toxic algae bloom, or other disaster—EWEB would be unable to count on the river to meet the city’s drinking water needs. With no other source to turn to, taps would run dry.
Since clean water is vital to public health, safety and the economy, planning is underway for EWEB's biggest modern investment in water reliability, a new water treatment plant on the Upper Willamette River. The plant is needed to give Eugene a second source of water should its sole source, the McKenzie River, or sole filtration plant, Hayden Bridge, become unavailable due to a natural or human caused disaster.
Eugene will continue to rely on the McKenzie River as our primary drinking water source as it has for many generations. The new Willamette Water Treatment Plant will supplement our primary supply and serve as a critical backup in the event of an emergency.
Project Timeline
EWEB submitted a Joint Permit Application in September of 2024 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Department of State Lands to address environmental permitting for the project. As the permitting process continues, EWEB will move forward with the detailed design of the new plant, associated pipeline, and water intake structure. Construction is not anticipated to start until at least 2026. Water from the new plant is projected to be introduced to the system around 2029.
Opportunities for public input will be provided throughout the project. Sign up for email updates to stay informed.
Project Location
The Willamette treatment plant and intake will be located in Glenwood, on the west bank of the Willamette River, with a pipeline connecting the plant to EWEB’s existing system near the Knickerbocker Pedestrian Bridge. Through careful consideration of different siting alternatives, this location was selected based on its seismic, water quality, and constructability benefits, and to ensure that EWEB will continue to have ownership and control of its drinking water assets in perpetuity.
The proposed intake is near the confluence of the Coast and Middle Forks. Immediately upstream of the intake is the 1,300-acre Willamette Confluence Preserve, important floodplain lands, owned by the McKenzie River Trust (MRT). Having the confluence preserve upstream of the intake is ideal to protect and optimize water quality.
Water Quality
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality scores the Willamette River as “Excellent” at 92.94/100 on the Oregon Water Quality Index less than a mile downstream of the proposed intake.
The addition of water from the new plant into the existing EWEB system is expected to be imperceptible even to the most discerning water users like medical facilities, dialysis centers, and breweries because raw water from the Willamette and McKenzie are similar in composition and can be treated to achieve similar characteristics.
Learn MoreBackground Documents and Links
October Board Meeting Presentation. Chief Operations Officer, Karen Kelley, and Water Engineering Supervisor, Wally McCullough, presented information about the proposed plant and associated transmission project to the EWEB Board and heard input on the scope and commitment to fund the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
This investment will enhance the reliability of our community's most vital resource, clean drinking water, for generations to come.
Read FAQRelated Programs
Protecting the McKenzie
Protecting the McKenzie River Watershed helps to ensure excellent drinking water quality for customers and residents today and into the future.
Water safety in your home or business
Learn more about your drinking water, including how you can help keep our public water supply clean through backflow prevention. Also check out tips for preventing freezing pipes.
Preparing for Emergencies
Together, we prepare. Find information about preparing your household for an emergency, and learn about EWEB's Water Reliability Initiative.
