Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who do I call if I have an odor complaint about a wastewater treatment facility?

A: Call 541-682-8600

 Q: Where can I dispose of my RV sanitary waste?

A: The Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 410 River Avenue, Eugene has an RV and boat dump station. There is no charge and it is open 24 hours a day year around. Other RV dump stationsare available in our area. 

Q: How should I dispose of used cooking grease?

A: You should never pour used cooking grease down your drain. Grease is one of the leading causes of sewer blockages. Grease should be collected in tin cans or glass jars and after it cools, disposed of in your trash.

 Q: How should I dispose of other wastes like motor oil, paint, and household chemicals?

A: Lane County Waste Management provides 16 disposal sites that offer full recycling options.

 Q: How should I dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs?

A: Drop them off at a Prescription Drug Drop Boxes in Lane County

 Q: What do my monthly sewer service charges pay for?

A: The Regional Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) is supported by the fees paid by residential, commercial, and industrial rate payers. Your monthly service charges pay for the maintenance and operation of the system, upgrades to the treatment processes, and employee costs.

 Q: Why is my sewer bill higher than my water bill?

A: Treating wastewater is much more expensive than treating drinking water. Your wastewater bill amount is determined by the amount of water that you use.

 Q: What does a wastewater treatment plant do?

A: Treatment plants remove solids and other pollutants from wastewater. This treated water can then be safely discharged to the environment. This same process occurs in nature. Treatment plants enhance this natural process and speed it up to treat larger volumes of wastewater in a shorter period of time. Treatment includes physical, biological and chemical processes to clean the water.

 Q: Where does the water go once it is treated?

A: The WPCF treats wastewater collected from the cities of Eugene and Springfield and cleans it before it is discharge to the Willamette River. The biosolids are removed, treated and beneficially reused. Some reclaimed water is also used for irrigation and treatment plant processes.

 Q: Who runs the wastewater treatment plant? 

A: Highly trained, experienced, State-certified treatment plant operators employed by the City of Eugene are on duty 24 hours a day, every day, to direct treatment plant processes and to react quickly to any unusual events. Much of the treatment process is highly automated and requires a great deal of technical expertise.

 Q: How reliable is the treatment facility? 

A: Reliability at the Wastewater Pollution Control Facility is very high. Critical treatment processes are designed with redundant equipment, which means that if a mechanical or electrical component fails, a backup system is available to take its place. Mechanical and electrical staff are on-call 24 hours a day in case of a failure that requires immediate assistance.

 Q: How is the quality of treated wastewater ensured? 

A: Our on-site monitoring provides information and records data on wastewater quality around the clock. Samples are also collected and analyzed in our on-site, State-certified laboratory. This water quality information is continually assessed to ensure permit compliance and protection of the environment

 Q: Who regulates the Wastewater Treatment Plant?

A: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is charged with implementing state and federal rules governing the operation of wastewater treatment plants. As such, the DEQ has issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (number 100980) for the Eugene/Springfield Water Pollution Control Facility. The permit describes conditions and limitations to ensure public health and safety and protection of the environment.