CC Minutes - 06/09/99 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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Joint Work Session Board of Commissioners/City Council June 9, 1999 Page 5 Councilor Farr said he was concerned that preparations be made for potential Year 2000- related activities of anarchist individuals identified as being active in Eugene in a recent Wall Street Journal article. WATER SUPPLY PLAN Mr. Helgeson provided an overview of the EWEB water delivery system - McKenzie River source, Hayden Bridge filtration plan, transmission system, customer growth trends, and daily demand profile. Mr. Helgeson described the purpose and process followed to develop the EWEB Water Supply Plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners in January 1999. He said the plan included the following elements: · Continued reliance on the McKenzie River as the primary water source for Eugene. · Exploration of the use of groundwater as a backup supply source. · Increasing emphasis on water conservation programs. · Construction of new transmission and reservoir capacity upgrades. · Protection and enhancement of water source quality. · Maintaining future source options and seeking regional partnerships. Mr. Helgeson said Water Supply Plan projects were estimated to cost between $35 and $50 million. He reported that a financial strategy to pay for the improvements was being developed and that it was possible EWEB would request the City Council to authorize bonded debt as a funding tool. Mayor Torrey asked for an explanation of the impact of the water requirements of the Hyundai semiconductor manufacturing plant on the EWEB system. Mr. Helgeson replied that Hyundai currently consumed water at a rate of 46 million gallons per year - four percent of the EWEB production and one-half the originally projected estimate for Phase One of its plant development. He said the company's peak demands were two million gallons per day, approximately one and one-half percent of EWEB daily production. He said that Hyundai water use accelerated the need for expansion of the water system by two years. Commissioner Bishop stated that water service to the Hyundai plant was unique in that it was provided through a contractual arrangement and included the full cost of providing the services. Councilor Kelly stated that he had recently learned that he lived in an area in which water pressure did not meet fire suppression standards. He expressed appreciation for the work of EWEB staff to rectify the situation. He asked if Commissioners were aware of the situation. Commissioner Bishop said the Board was well informed of such problems.