Lead Service Lines in Eugene, Oregon
What you need to know about Eugene Water & Electric Board
Eugene Water & Electric Board serves approximately 176,000 people in Eugene and surrounding areas. Like water systems across the US, EWEB may have lead service lines—the underground pipes that connect homes to the public water main. Lead service lines are the single largest source of lead in drinking water.
Current inventory status
EWEB has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility doesn't yet have a public count of how many lead lines exist in the area it serves. You may see "0" reported in some databases; that reflects incomplete data, not the absence of lead lines.
Under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Revision (effective 2024), all water systems must develop and publish a complete lead service line inventory by October 2024, with upgrades to follow. EWEB is required to meet this deadline.
What this means for your home
If your home was built before 1986, there's a meaningful chance your service line contains lead. Even if you don't know your line's material, you can take protective steps now:
- Get your water tested. Contact EWEB to request a free or low-cost test. They can tell you if lead is present in your water.
- Use a certified filter (NSF/ANSI Standard 53) on your kitchen tap if testing shows lead, while waiting for more information on your line.
- Flush cold water before drinking or cooking if water has sat in pipes for more than 6 hours.
What to expect next
Watch for EWEB to publish its complete lead service line inventory in the coming months. Once available, the inventory will tell you whether your specific address has a known lead line. The utility will also release a timeline for replacing lead lines.
Lead replacement typically takes years. In the meantime, simple actions (testing, flushing, filtering) reduce risk significantly.
Next steps for residents
- Contact EWEB at their customer service line to ask about your service line material and request a water test.
- Visit the CDC's lead in water guide for health information and testing resources.
- Check back for the inventory. EWEB will publish its full lead service line inventory online; bookmark their website to stay updated.
- If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or OB-GYN about lead exposure.
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Eugene have lead in the water?
Eugene Water & Electric Board hasn't yet published a complete inventory showing where lead service lines exist. The utility is required to complete this by October 2024. Testing your home's water is the most reliable way to know if lead is present in your water.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Once EWEB publishes its full inventory, you'll be able to check your address. Until then, contact the utility directly—they may have historical records of your line's material. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk.
Is the water safe to drink?
EWEB treats water to reduce lead leaching from pipes, but the safest approach is to get your water tested. If lead is detected, use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter on your drinking and cooking water and flush cold water from the tap before use.
When will lead service lines be replaced?
EWEB will announce its replacement timeline once the inventory is complete. Lead line replacement is a multi-year process for most utilities. In the meantime, you can reduce exposure through testing, flushing, and filtering.