Eugene Water & Electric Board

Eugene Water & Electric Board We are a community-owned, not-for-profit water and electric utility, founded in 1911 Keep it clean. Keep it cybersafe – no personal information. Keep it relevant.

EWEB's Social Media Rules of Conduct

The Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) participates in several social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, NextDoor and YouTube. These channels are limited public forums and offer opportunities for civil discussions explicitly regarding EWEB, our employees, policies, programs, and relevant partner agencies within the community th

at we serve. EWEB welcomes your opinion relevant to our posted content, but we require that you respect the utility's following Social Media Rules of Conduct. Posts and comments that violate these rules may be hidden or subject to deletion. Participants violating these rules may be blocked from EWEB’s social media platforms pursuant to Paragraph 7 below. EWEB will enforce these rules with a neutral viewpoint, meaning these standards shall be enforced regardless of whether the post or comment is supportive or critical of EWEB.

1. EWEB’s social media platforms serve as an educational resource to all of our customers, including children. Foul language, profanity, obscene, violent, pornographic, and/or sexual content (collectively, “Offensive Material”) is not allowed. The page administrator makes the final determination about whether language constitutes Offensive Material. Posts and/or comments that contain Offensive Material may be hidden by the page administrator.

2. Any post containing personal or account information is not allowed. Our social media team does not have access to EWEB accounts and cannot resolve any issues you may have with billing, service, etc. For assistance with account information, please call 541-685-7000. Posts and/or comments that contain personal or account information may be hidden by the page administrator.

3. Keep it respectful. Any threats made against EWEB, EWEB employees or Commissioners, or against other community members are strictly prohibited. Direct threats against individuals will be catalogued and reported to EWEB Physical Security, who may report violations to the Eugene Police. Posts and/or comments that contain threats may be hidden by the page administrator. Individuals who make violent threats will automatically be blocked and banned from all EWEB Social Media platforms.

4. EWEB welcomes lively discussion about water and electric resources and service, conservation, EWEB rates and initiatives, relevant public policies, and other related topics, especially from our customer-owners. Although posts and comments are encouraged on EWEB’s social media platforms, these sites are limited public forums that are moderated by EWEB staff. All posted content (comments, links, photos, etc.) must be relevant to EWEB and its services. Spam postings, which includes purposely posting similar information multiple times, is not allowed. To foster productive dialogues regarding EWEB news, programs, and policies, comments on EWEB-posted content must be relevant to the content of the post. Posts and/or comments that spam our accounts may be hidden by the page administrator.

5. No advertising. Self-serving posts promoting commercial products, services, events, or businesses are not allowed. Do not post any commercial solicitations (i.e., asking users to “like” your page or visit your website). Do not post advertisements, prize contests, or giveaways. Posts and/or comments that use our accounts for advertising may be hidden by the page administrator.

6. Fake accounts. Participants on EWEB’s social media platforms are not required to be active EWEB customers. We welcome participation and feedback from all of our community members and fans who may have moved away but still want to keep in touch with EWEB. If a social media account owner has been blocked, all other social media accounts owned and managed by the blocked-account holder will similarly be blocked. Problematic followers who use a pseudonym to continue accessing EWEB’s social media pages will continue to be blocked upon detection.

7. Three Strikes Policy. Please note that any post violating these rules may be hidden and/or deleted. Any community member who breaks these rules will receive a private message for each first and second offense, warning them that they will be blocked if they continue to violate these rules. On the third violation, their account will be blocked from all EWEB Social Media Platforms. In no event shall a user be blocked solely based on disagreeing with or providing a contrary opinion or point of view from EWEB. EWEB will not take retaliatory action against a customer for posting negative comments about EWEB, but all postings remain subject to enforcement of these Social Media Rules of Conduct. As a public utility, we strive to continuously serve our community, and we value constructive criticism as a means to improve our services. Action to block any social media account from EWEB’s social media platforms will not cause restriction to our customer service department, communication with the Commissioner who represents their Ward, and testimony at public Board Meetings. Customers who post threats of violence, however, may have public meeting privileges revoked, pending an investigation of their threatening behavior.

8. We are your neighbors, at your service! EWEB is a public utility. We do not operate to make a profit. Our mission is to enhance our community's vitality by delivering drinking water and electric services consistent with the values of our customer-owners. And our vision is to do so while being a local utility that inspires our customers to invest in and rely on us. Although the public’s participation on our social media platforms is encouraged, comments or post created by a member of the public on any of EWEB’s social media platforms constitutes the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, EWEB, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of EWEB. EWEB Commissioners are elected by the people of Eugene to maintain and operate the utility. EWEB staff are often also EWEB customers and work with the spirit of public service. We are determined to provide you with safe, reliable, and responsible service, and look forward to hearing your feedback through these Social Media Platforms to better serve you.

06/04/2026

🏁AND they're off! 🏎 Students from across Lane County just wrapped up the EWEB EV Challenge, competing to build and race the fastest battery-powered cars. Students also compete in an art concept and scientific concept competitions - you'll never guess which idea came to life straight out of their math book!

The event is part of an in-depth science curriculum sponsored by EWEB and is managed by our fantastic education partners. We have tremendous gratitude for our Eugene School District 4J, Bethel School District, , and other schools' teachers, and we are always so thrilled and impressed with what our students come up with! Thanks for sharing!

Background:
• EWEB EV Challenge features student-built model cars powered by electric battery energy.
• Tuesday’s event was the culmination of an in-depth science project in local schools that is funded and sponsored by EWEB. Through the lessons middle school students learn about energy production, , gearing, aerodynamics, and friction.
• The program promotes teamwork, creativity, physical activity and good sportsmanship as students work together to design their cars and then compete in elimination races leading up to the event.
• In addition to racing cars, students also can design and build concept cars. Students must use all their imagination, creativity, artistic sensibilities and engineering skills to design unique, fully functioning vehicles.

06/02/2026

EWEB, the U.S. Forest Service - Willamette National Forest, and local construction partners celebrated the reopening of Carmen-Smith Recreation Projects on Friday, May 29, cheering on the partnerships that made possible the renovation of these treasured outdoors community spaces.

“We have control over this space. This is part of our community. We set it up so we can enjoy it, and our kids can enjoy it,” EWEB Commissioner Sonya Carlson said. “I love thinking about the work that we’ve done for decades to make sure that we have this wonderful resource in the community that will support us in the future.”

McKenzie River District Ranger Darren Cross welcomed project partners to the Trail Bridge Day Use Area to kick off the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees included EWEB Generation staff, USDA Forest Service recreation and wildlife managers, Wildish and Brinks Land Improvement construction teams, and architects from the design firm Mackay Sposito who all worked on renewing the facilities.

The recreation sites had been closed since 2017 as the road to the campground passes close to the Carmen Powerhouse and EWEB needed it closed to restore the facility.

“EWEB couldn’t have done any of this work without the tremendous partnerships that we have with the Forest Service and other state and federal agencies who work together to ensure that our hydropower projects provide benefits for the whole community,” said Chief Energy Officer Lisa Krentz. “Working together, we have renewed these facilities so that the community can enjoy our beautiful McKenzie River.”

The Trial Bridge Campground and Day Use Area on the Trail Bridge Reservoir, Lakes End Campground and Smith Reservoir Day Use Area on the Smith Reservoir, and Beaver Marsh Trail and Carmen Day Use Area on the Carmen Reservoir officially reopened on May 1.

As a community-owned public utility, EWEB values the opportunity to provide recreational opportunities as one of the contributions of local hydropower. Restoring these facilities is also a requirement of the project’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.

“I come from Bonneville power – I spent 35 years there, so I know a little bit about hydro. When I come up here and I see Carmen-Smith, it makes me think of all the values it brings to the community. Projects like Carmen will allow us to move from using carbon-emitting resources to carbon-free resources and it’s part of improving the environment,” said EWEB General Manager John Hairston in his third week on the job. “It’s pretty exciting for me to be out here and be a part of this team.”

After Commissioner Carlson cut the ribbon, attendees explored the campsites, toured the Carmen Powerhouse, and hiked the Blue Pool Trail to see how EWEB fish biologists and hydro engineers have improved Chinook salmon and Bull Trout spawning and rearing habitat.

Despite the rainy weather, dozens of people were out enjoying the facilities.

Anyone interested in camping at the Trail Bridge Campground (close to the popular Blue Pool/Tamolitch Falls Trailhead) or Ice Cap Campground (close to Koosah Falls) can reserve a campsite on recreation.gov.

EWEB has made a recreation guide for ideas to enjoy hiking, biking, paddling or wildlife observation at these community-owned, carbon-free hydropowered recreation sites! Download and print your Adventure Guide:https://www.eweb.org/documents/Reports%20and%20Publications/Carmen-Smith%20Adventure%20Guide_Hydropowered%20Recreation%20in%20the%20McKenzie%20Valley.pdf

Want to hear from our new General Manager? 💡 He'll be live-streamed tomorrow during our or watch our monthly board meeti...
06/01/2026

Want to hear from our new General Manager? 💡 He'll be live-streamed tomorrow during our or watch our monthly board meeting tomorrow, June 2, at 5:30 p.m., which will include the following topics:

- An introduction of EWEB's new general manager, John Hairston.

- An opportunity for the public to provide input.

We welcome you to attend in person or watch online. View the full agenda for the June meeting, learn how to watch online, attend in person, and provide public comments by visiting our website: www.eweb.org/public-meetings

Stop. Observe. Survive and Call 911!This school year, EWEB launched Power Town, a live voltage demonstration table to ed...
05/29/2026

Stop. Observe. Survive and Call 911!
This school year, EWEB launched Power Town, a live voltage demonstration table to educate youth about electrical safety. We reached 16 fourth-grade classrooms across four school districts (4J, McKenzie, Springfield, and Bethel) thanks to EWEB education partnerships and grant funding. EWEB education grant funding enables memorable learning experiences for students through events like Salmon Watch, the EV Challenge, and now Power Town.
https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/fourth-graders-learn-about-power-line-safety-through-eweb-program-in-schools

KLCC's Love Cross and EWEB's Emergency Management Specialist, Jenny Damaris, teamed up TWICE in May to answer your burni...
05/28/2026

KLCC's Love Cross and EWEB's Emergency Management Specialist, Jenny Damaris, teamed up TWICE in May to answer your burning emergency preparedness questions. 🧐🎒

First, Jenny visited the KLCC studios for a conversation on water sanitation, storing disaster preparedness supplies with limited space, and emergency sanitation — yes, that's right, what to do with p*e and poo if our wastewater systems get disrupted. Read the article or listen to the interview:
https://www.klcc.org/human-interest/2026-05-06/klcc-oregon-ready-answering-your-questions-about-water-sanitation-storing-supplies-in-small-spaces-and-more

Then we captured these photos at the KLCC Listener Appreciation Night, where Jenny provided handouts and answered any questions from those who stopped by the EWEB table.

KLCC's Oregon Ready series follows host Love Coss's journey to become '2 Weeks Ready,' inspired by the Pledge to Prepare program from Eugene Water & Electric Board. If you'd like to join EWEB's award-winning Pledge to Prepare or check out information from previous months, head to eweb.org/p2p

05/23/2026

EWEB Commissioners joined local leaders and decision-makers, EWEB staff - and our new General Manager John Hairston - on a float down the McKenzie River last week to tour watershed restoration projects and hear more about the next phase of source water protection work as partners transition away from Holiday Farm Fire recovery efforts. They learned about the Naturescaping program that educates landowners to protect the river by supporting native riparian plants, as well as the large-scale floodplain projects restoring the river's natural filtration functions.

The creation of the McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System (MWERS) and investments in watershed protection help en...
05/22/2026

The creation of the McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System (MWERS) and investments in watershed protection help ensure Eugene's drinking water remains consistently outstanding. 💯💧 In this month's Water-Power-People Bulletin, which comes with your bill, we celebrate 115 years of safe drinking water with the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report.

When you get your bill (or head over to our website now), read about what goes into delivering water to your tap and how EWEB is continuing to invest in water reliability.

You can read the May bulletin or read previous months at: www.eweb.org/newsletters

An update on the milk and diesel fuel spill can be found on our website:
https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/spill-response-update

🚨 MILK & DIESEL FUEL SPILL UPDATE 5/20On Tuesday May 19, EWEB staff withdrew the solid containment and absorbent boom fr...
05/21/2026

🚨 MILK & DIESEL FUEL SPILL UPDATE 5/20

On Tuesday May 19, EWEB staff withdrew the solid containment and absorbent boom from Trailbridge Reservoir, closing out EWEB’s response to the diesel/milk spill as State authorities continue cleanup efforts.

EWEB staff did not observe an oil sheen on the water or collecting on the absorbent boom on Trailbridge Reservoir.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will continue cleanup efforts, working with hazardous materials contractors to remove as much diesel as possible. The majority of the remaining impacts appear to be localized to Bobby Creek where the truck crashed, and Payne Creek, which Bobby Creek flows into.

EWEB staff stand by their initial assessment that the spill will have no adverse impacts to drinking water quality at this time – thanks to the rapid response of local emergency responders responding to the McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System (MWERS) notification about the spill, the cold-water conditions limiting biological activity, and due to the spill location.

EWEB will monitor the situation and collaborate with cleanup partners as needed.

EWEB developed the McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System (MWERS) decades ago as an early response to hazardous material spills. MWERS includes a notification system that alerts local responders to the location of a spill and includes pre-developed ‘strategies’ for boom deployment at specific sections of the river to collect contaminants or divert flow from critical resources. EWEB coordinates an annual drill to test the notification system and practice deployment of containment equipment with local responders, who may be the first people on the scene before regional hazardous material cleanup resources are able to dispatch.

“This incident reinforces the importance of building relationships, and planning ahead when it comes to responding to emergencies,” said Susan Fricke, EWEB Water Resources and Quality Assurance Supervisor. “The McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response System worked as it was designed to thanks to EWEB and partners’ foresight and dedication to practice – we even ran our spill drill last October in the exact site where we deployed this week.”

Milk is considered a hazardous material when spilled into waterways in large amounts. Spilled milk provides a significant increase in organic matter for bacteria to consume. In breaking down the milk, the bacteria also consumes oxygen and can create hypoxic dead zones in the water by using up dissolved oxygen faster than it is replaced. Aquatic life can suffocate if left without enough dissolved oxygen.

In multiple visits to monitor the impacts of the spill, EWEB staff has not observed any fish or wildlife mortalities.

Payne Creek joins the McKenzie River a few hundred yards upstream of EWEB’s Carmen Powerhouse, Trailbridge Campground, and Trailbridge Reservoir.

If any diesel escapes past the ongoing cleanup efforts in Bobby and Payne creeks, the Trailbridge Dam’s permanent solid containment boom that blocks debris from the spillway would also form a barrier to floating diesel. The dam itself would also act as a containment barrier, as the spillway pulls water from below the surface.

EWEB would like to thank all of those who helped respond to the spill as well as efforts for continued monitoring and clean-up:

Upper Mckenzie Rural Fire Protection District , Springfield Utility Board, Oregon DEQ, Eugene Springfield Fire Region 2 HazMat, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon State Police .

Read the news update about the spill: https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/spill-response-update

05/15/2026

🚨 News Alert: A tanker truck carrying an estimated 275 gallons of diesel and between 5,000 and 7,000 gallons of milk crashed this morning near Belknap Springs, releasing diesel and milk into a creek that flows into the Upper McKenzie River.

McKenzie Watershed Emergency Response (MWERS) partners swiftly mobilized to contain the spill.

EWEB staff and the Upper Mckenzie Rural Fire Protection District were the first on-site to deploy spill response mitigation measures. Containment booms are in place in to capture materials both in the creek and the river, including a boom across Trail Bridge Reservoir, where milk from the spill is visible in the water. The total volume of materials that entered the waterway is still being assessed.

“We have many mitigation measures in place, and it would take a significant amount of time before any materials would travel all the way down the river to EWEB’s Hayden Bridge Drinking Water Treatment Plant,” said Susan Fricke, EWEB Water Resources and Quality Assurance Supervisor. “We appreciate our partners’ quick response to get mitigation measures deployed.”

Responding agencies include EWEB, Upper McKenzie Fire & Rescue, Springfield Utility Board, Oregon DEQ, and Region 2 HazMat. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifeis monitoring for impacts to fish.

EWEB and its MWERS partners conducted their annual spill response drill at this location last fall, which helped prepare response teams for an incident of this type.

Thanks to early containment, EWEB does not expect any impact to Eugene’s drinking water.

Read the full story at:
https://www.eweb.org/your-public-utility/news/eweb-deploys-spill-response-on-mckenzie-river-following-semi-truck-crash-near-belknap-springs

05/14/2026

Pacific Refugee Support Group (PRSG), one of the recipients of EWEB's 2024 Electric Mobility Community Grant, purchased a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Electric Hybrid to assist families in Lane County. 🚘🔌

“We have used this car to help families move, to help service rural areas in Lane County, as well as provide almost all of our families with food boxes and help them get through some very challenging times,” says Sofia Barbosa, Legal and Youth Education Coordinator at PRSG. “We are incredibly grateful.”

Funding for the grant came from the Oregon Clean Fuels Program administered by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

EWEB is currently accepting applications for the 2026 Electric Mobility Community Grant. We will be awarding up to five grants of up to $30,000. Applications are open until July 31. Learn more about the grant, previous winners and how to apply at eweb.org/electric-mobility-grants.

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