Updated July 10, 2024

The site evaluation process to determine suitability for a community onsite wastewater system has been completed on the Blue River Park and the Old Mill property (Three Sisters) sites. It has been determined that a 35,000-gallon-per-day (GPD) community wastewater system capable of meeting the anticipated growth of Blue River will pollute the Blue River and McKenzie River at levels that are unacceptable to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This information does not eliminate the possibility of a community wastewater system in Blue River but does cause Lane County, along with its community stakeholders, to reevaluate the size of the proposed system to determine what can be installed without polluting the adjacent rivers.

In order to move forward and supply the residents of Blue River the option to connect to a community system as soon as possible, Lane County is proceeding with designing a 2,500-gallon-per-day onsite wastewater system for the Blue River Park, as well as one for the Old Mill property. Both will be permitted through Lane County. These smaller systems will be able to supply service to approximately 8 homes each and will be expandable if it is determined a larger system can be installed.

The expected cost of the two 2500-gallon-per-day systems is between $3.5 million and $4.3 million. The anticipated monthly consumer bill is $105 and includes all known operation and maintenance expenses.

On July 8, 2024 a “Notice to Proceed” was issued to HDR Inc. to commence with the Engineering and Construction Services contract for the Blue River Community Wastewater Project. This scope of work includes final design, permitting coordination and construction services support. Additionally, the 12 month aquifer monitoring requirement from DEQ is concluding in September 2024. It will provide the data needed to determine the maximum daily wastewater flow capacity from the Three Sisters Meadows property, as well as the Blue River Park site. Currently, two, 2500 gallons-per-day (gpd) wastewater systems are proposed which would support a combination of residential and commercial connections. Also, the search for a funding source to construct the proposed $3.5 million to $4.3 million wastewater facilities is still ongoing and if obtained within the next year this phase would commence in the second quarter of 2025.

At the same time, Lane County will continue to coordinate with the DEQ to determine if a larger system can be permitted. To help with this, water monitors will be installed in existing wells on each property to evaluate the aquifer levels over a 12-month period. This information, along with running various GPD scenarios in the hydrogeological model developed engineers and reviewed by DEQ, will be able to determine if a community wastewater system greater than 2,500 gallons per day can be installed without affecting the surrounding rivers.  

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The McKenzie River is the primary source of drinking water for more than 100,000 people and its pristine waters support important riparian habitat, create jobs and drive tourism.

Residential and commercial wastewater in the community of Blue River is disposed of by private onsite septic tanks and subsurface disposal fields. In general, these onsite septic systems are located on sandy loam topsoil with moderate to high infiltration rates and gravel layers which may have a connection to the river or groundwater sources. These private, onsite systems – especially those damaged in the Holiday Farm Fire – pose a risk of contamination to the McKenzie River and its tributaries.

Protecting the McKenzie River while supporting the rebuilding of the Blue River community is a critical part of wildfire recovery. The creation of a community wastewater system for Blue River will reduce the risk of contamination and support the economic revitalization of the area. 

So, what does the project entail and why Blue River?

The Blue River community is one of the most densely populated and developed areas in the McKenzie River Valley and within the Holiday Farm Fire burn area, but its status as a rural unincorporated community means that developing a sewer system is not automatically allowable under state land use law.

The McKenzie River and its watershed is also subject to the state’s “Three Basin Rule” that prohibits new or increased wastewater discharges to preserve the existing high-quality water for municipal water supplies, recreation, and aquatic life downstream.

As far back as 2015, Lane County was working with the Blue River community to develop a roadmap for a community wastewater system, but state law and a lack of funding kept the project from moving forward.

After the Holiday Farm Fire, Lane County was able to secure changes to state law that will allow the formation of a wastewater district in Blue River to be governed by the existing Blue River Water District.

Lane County is coordinating a feasibility and engineering study to better understand wastewater treatment options. The Blue River community, including the Blue River Water District, are important partners in this process.

The results of the feasibility study will help determine what kind of community wastewater system could work in Blue River and what it would take to build and operate.

The community of Blue River and Lane County recognize this as an opportunity to rebuild in a way that addresses chronic community issues while also creating the foundation for a sustainable and viable economic future.

PROJECT BENEFITS

There are several benefits to developing a community wastewater system in Blue River:

1. Better protection of the McKenzie River watershed and water quality

2. Safer, off-site wastewater disposal for residents

3. Fewer barriers to rebuilding post-wildfire (smaller properties are struggling to site new septic tanks or drain fields required due to fire damage; many Blue River properties are too small to meet current location requirements for septic systems) 

4. Increased capacity to support economic development and opportunities

LANE COUNTY’S ROLE

Lane County is the project lead and is responsible for coordinating with the other partners. In addition to managing the feasibility study, Lane County has also secured funding to perform land surveys for Blue River as well as the surrounding communities impacted by the fire. These surveys will serve a dual purpose as they will help locate wastewater facilities as part of the subject project but also fulfill the requirement to obtain permits needed to rebuild.

Typically, it is the responsibility of the property owner to hire a surveyor to mark property lines when they rebuild. Due to the extensive fire damage, the large-scale improvement projects on the horizon, and the support needed by many fire-affected residents to rebuild, Lane County recognizes the need for a comprehensive survey. Lane County intends to hire a contractor to survey properties in the downtown Blue River area first then establish a program that will reimburse property owners that have already performed surveys on their property as well provide a source of funding for those needing to complete a survey for rebuilding purposes.

PARTNERS

Blue River Water District

HDR Engineering, Inc.

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality