Our water supply surfaces at Clear Lake, bubbling to the surface through many feet of natural volcanic “filters.”
Clean water starts at the source Eugene residents enjoy some of the highest quality drinking water in the world. The water comes from the pristine McKenzie River, which emerges from Clear Lake, high in the Cascade Mountains, before flowing 85 miles to the Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant in Springfield, where the Eugene Water & Electric Board draws water from the river. EWEB pays close attention to water quality impacts in our watershed. EWEB’s source water may be susceptible to different types of contamination throughout the watershed, from urban runoff and hazardous material spills in the urban areas, to sediment and other contaminants that could be released during slope failures associated with the Holiday Farm Fire. Climate change is another threat as the dryer and warmer weather encourages algae growth in rivers, creeks, and reservoirs within the watershed. For more information about potential sources of contamination in our watershed, the McKenzie River's susceptibility to contamination, and how we protect the watershed, visit eweb.org/sourcewaterprotection.
Water quality and wildfire In the aftermath of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, the safety and security of our community's source of drinking water is at risk. Wildfire can dramatically increase erosion in forests by reducing tree cover, increasing flooding, and causing ash, debris, and sediment to wash into the river.
The Holiday Farm Fire damage to the watershed has the potential to degrade water quality, increase treatment costs, and reduce the production capacity of the Hayden Bridge Water Filtration Plant for years to come if restoration efforts are not completed in key areas.
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