Blue River Bracing for Big Water System Fix

Last Friday, Blue River property owners received an in-depth update on a sweeping water infrastructure plan set to replace the community’s entire network of lines, hydrants, and service connections.

The project, according to Joel Zeni of Brinks Land Improvement, covers about 31,000 linear feet of pipe and is scheduled to begin around October 20. The work will continue through next September, though crews hope to finish earlier. Activities will start near the system’s 300,000-gallon water tank and progress downhill to maintain pressure in the system.

One of the most visible improvements is likely to be the installation of 47 fire hydrants across Blue River, more than doubling the current 20 in service. New pipes will be built primarily with pressure-rated Polyvinyl Chloride pipe, with ductile iron fittings and hydrants Zeni said. Service lines to homes, he explained, will use PEX or HDPE plastic tubing. In some cases, plumbers will extend new lines all the way to individual homes to ensure proper connections and prevent leaks.

To avoid disturbing the status quo, existing asbestos cement pipes will be capped in place rather than removed. Work will also include boring under the Blue River for a 10-inch fused high-density polyethylene pipe to supply reliable water supply to the downtown area.

People can expect the upgrade will bring significant activity in the area. Crews will close lanes and, in some cases, entire side streets like Rose, Echo, and Dexter, though property access will be maintained. Residents can expect to see dump trucks, heavy equipment, and flagging operations throughout the community.

Water service interruptions can also be expected but will are expected to last less than a day per household. More complex tie-ins, though, could take up to two days. After connections are made, homeowners will be asked to run faucets for about 10 minutes to flush out air and any debris.

Staging areas are expected to be set up near the pump house and at a turnaround on Cascade Street, previously used during the Holiday Farm Fire.

In addition, property owners were told they can expect to be notified and receive contact information one to two weeks before construction work begins nearby.

Easements were also discussed at the meeting. Most properties north of Blue River Drive, and some south of the highway, will require either maintaining service or providing access for water lines. While most meters will remain in their current locations, those on land “up in the hills” that don’t have direct road access will be moved closer to the street.

Beyond daily water use, the new system promises to deliver stronger fire protection with improved hydrant flow. The well site, with backup generator power, should ensure continued water supply during outages. With the storage tank up on a hill, the system will continue to be gravity-fed, though some higher-elevation properties may still need private booster pumps to maintain adequate pressure.

Backflow prevention, though, will remain the responsibility of homeowners. Officials encouraged residents to consider adding devices during construction to help protect the community’s untreated water supply. In addition, Lane County inspectors will be responsible for handling permits and inspections, with fees covered by the project.

Speakers emphasized that community meetings will continue throughout the process to gather input and adjust plans. “Our goal is to deliver a quality product that will serve Blue River for many years,” the project manager told attendees.

Timeline by Area

October–November: Blue River Drive

December: Blue River Road

January–February: Cascade Street, McColey, Rose, Tree, Echo, and McKenzie Street

March: Additional work on Blue River Drive

April: School area and Elk Creek Road

May: Highway-adjacent areas, with final service connections extending into June