Work may start this month on a new water storage facility in South Eugene. Eugene Water & Electric Board plans to build two storage tanks to replace aging facilities.
EWEB needs to decommission the 80-year old College Hill Reservoir. The state has mandated this based on potential for contamination due to leaking roof joints. Joe Harwood with EWEB, said water storage is needed for fire suppression, emergency response, and drinking water, if supply from the McKenzie River is cut off.
“And, so just as college hill is considered a backbone,” Harwood said. “Before we take College Hill and decommission it, we have to replace that storage capacity.”
EWEB plans to build two 7.5 million gallon tanks on its property at Patterson and Donald in South Eugene. Some neighbors object, because that involves cutting down trees on the green space. They say EWEB should look at other locations to place the tanks. The concern is that removing the trees will go against the city’s climate goals.
EWEB purchased the 10-acre property in the 1950s with plans to use the land for water storage.
EWEB plans to decommission the College Hill reservoir by the end of 2023 when the new storage facility is operational. Eventually, it may construct storage tanks at the reservoir site. It’s also consulting with neighbors about the future of the area since College Hill is a popular place for people to stargaze, walk, and skate.
EWEB is a KLCC funder.
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