Water System Improvement Program in Eugene, Oregon

A water system radiating from a central area can stretch only so far. Adding more capacity requires proper planning, financial strength, and the art of meeting the system requirements while conforming to various agencies' myriad of rules, controls, and procedures. The Eugene Water & Electric Board has just completed the installation of 15.5 miles of water transmission lines for 30 in. to 60 in. in diameter requiring multiple crossings of rivers, railroad tracts, gas pipelines, interstate highway, state, county, and city roadways and private properties. Filtration plant capacity was increasing to 105 mgd and a new 20,000,000-gal reservoir completed the program. An examination of design and construction considerations is presented. While now learning how to operate the new facility, planning is underway far beyond the program period.