EWEB offers Bethel preparedness event Aug. 26
2 min read
by Aaron Orlowski, Eugene Water & Electric Board
EWEB invites Bethel area residents to learn about the neighborhood’s emergency water station Saturday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Prairie Mountain School, 5305 Royal Ave.
At the event, neighbors can pick up a complimentary three-gallon water storage container and practice filling it up at the station, as they would need to do during an actual emergency. Containers are available while supplies last.
Participants at the event will learn:
- How to use the water station
- Scenarios in which the station would be activated
- Details about the water well
- How to treat the emergency water to make it safe for drinking
- EWEB’s Pledge to Prepare campaign
Learn more about EWEB’s emergency water stations at eweb.org/emergencywater.
Emergency water stations provide crucial backup in case of disaster.
Over the past few years, EWEB has built five emergency water distribution stations with the help of community partners to ensure safe and reliable drinking water continues to flow into the community even when a disaster strikes that disrupts the drinking water supply.
An example of a large-scale disaster would be the subduction zone earthquake which could affect the McKenzie River, disrupt the water treatment plant, or damage the 800 miles of distribution pipes that delivers water to Eugene homes and businesses.
A natural or human-caused disaster could affect the Pacific Northwest at any time. Establishing these emergency water stations is just one way EWEB can help the community withstand and recover from such an event.
EWEB inaugurated two water stations last year – one at the Lane County Event Center and one at the Sheldon Community Center.
The water well at each station extends over 100 feet deep underground and all of the water that is provided at the station comes from that well. The stations are designed to provide each person with two gallons of water per day.
If a disaster event occurs that would require EWEB to open these stations, members of the community will need to bring their own water storage container and disinfect the water before use.
