EWEB notes potential ‘curtailments’ as McKenzie level drops toward 1st intake

Presenter: With a quick heads-up July 7 about the growing drought in Oregon, Eugene Water and Electric Board CEO John Hairston:

John Hairston (EWEB, CEO): We’re in pretty dry conditions, so drought conditions are moving pretty rapidly. If you look at the McKenzie, the base flows are naturally drought-resistant due to volcanic geology that stores water for up to seven years. 

But that said, as of June 18, both intakes at Haydon Bridge remain operational. However, flows are within one inch of levels recorded at the peak of the 2015 drought. Because we have two intakes, Intake 1 is more shallow, but Intake 2 is a lot deeper and we will retain operational flexibility if flows continue to decline. 

So I just wanted to share that we are beginning to see some concerns around drought, and that will gain some media attention, but I feel like we’re in pretty good position to withstand it. 

The only other thing will be there might be some curtailments. We may be subject to those curtailments, but they put municipal water supply at the top of the priority list. So while there may be some curtailment, we are hoping to see it at a minimum. 

And then the last thing is that the city of Eugene increased their wastewater and stormwater user fees. Wastewater is about 5.5%, stormwater 5%. We mention that because, you know, that’s on the bill. But EWEB rates are remaining the same for the rest of the year.

Presenter: And those city fees just keep going up. During public comment, Janet Ayers:

Janet Ayres: Stormwater: You’re billing now for the city of Eugene. I made several visits this past week and got quite a different views on why the stormwater piece of our bill does not go provide a narrative, a brief one. I’m sure it can figure out a way to do that. 

So EWEB tells me it’s the city that does not want to provide that narrative to the consumers, the ratepayers, and the city tells me it is EWEB. So I’m getting chased, the tiger around the tree. I’d like to know the truth, and I’d like to EWEB to be compliant and allowing our EWEB bill to include a narrative. 

Our stormwater bill—many of you probably don’t know this—since 2023 has gone up 50%, five-zero, 50%, and they purposely keep us from being informed because they like us fat and stupid. I don’t like being that way and I’m sure a lot of others don’t either. 

We are intelligent people. We deserve as a public utility, both through the city and EWEB—we are not just customers, we’re actually EWEB. We are actually EWEB. So please correct that.

Presenter: One EWEB Commissioner expressed concern. Sonya Carlson:

Sonya Carlson (EWEB, commissioner): I’m very concerned about the impact—you know, the rates to our current customers. 

I mean, I have a house that was built and there’s nobody living in it. And there is like very minimal electricity and water. And it’s $111—for no one in it—a month. And that’s significant. And so, it—it hurts.

Presenter: EWEB CEO John Hairston describes the latest signs of drought in the Upper Willamette Valley as the McKenzie River water level is approaching one Hayden Bridge intake. He says there may be limits on water use this summer.