New Years Hours

 We will be open regular business hours on Thursday Dec 31st and we will be Closed on Friday Jan 1st, 2021 so our staff can enjoy the new year with their families. 

Happy New Year, Be safe and have Fun 

Hiland Staff  

Christmas Eve & Christmas Hours

We will be open Christmas Eve 12/24/2020  till 12PM than we will be closed Friday 12/25/2020 so our staff can enjoy the holidays with their loved ones. We will reopen Monday reg business hour's 9am-4pm 

we hope you all have happy holidays ⛄

2020/12/07 Chehalem Springs low/no water pressure

We are currently working on an emergency repair in the area of NE Chehalem Dr.

Anyone in the area of NE North Valley Rd, NE Cullen Rd, and NE Tangen Rd will be effected by this work and will see low pressure or no water at all.

Thank you for your patience and we will have the system back to normal operations soon.

Hiland Office

Holiday Hours

Hiland will be closed Thursday 26, 2020 and Friday 27, 2020 so our staff can enjoy the holidays with their loved ones. Please be safe and have a happy Thanksgiving  

2020-10-29 Otis Update, Echo Mt and Riverbend VOC Testing

At Echo Mt. Water System, we have fixed a number of leaks and have been able to successfully operate the well pump for nearly two weeks. Both remaining water reservoirs are currently full and all homes have water service. We are continuing to develop plans to rebuild a pump house at the primary well, which will increase security and reliability. 

VOC samples were collected at Echo Mt. Water System and Riverbend Water System in early October. Fortunately, the results of those samples showed no increased levels of VOC contaminants in the water. This indicates that the fire did not negatively impact distribution lines. Links to the sample results are provided below: 

Echo Mt Test Results

Riverbend Test Results

As a precaution, we are working with OHA to determine whether additional VOC testing would be appropriate, particularly at Echo Mt. Water System. Likewise, there are steps each resident can take to ensure the integrity and safety of each home's plumbing. The State of Oregon has provided a letter (linked below) that provides helpful information, including information about flushing, testing, and treating water. 

Customer Guidance Regarding Water Quality in Buildings Located in Areas Damaged by Wildfire

We are optimistic that outages will not continue to occur regularly at Echo Mt. Water System. If you experience an outage, please contact our office (503-554-8333) immediately so we can address the situation. Also, if you notice leaks, please report those to our office. Although water service has been restored, we are continuing to keep the boil water guidance in place for Echo Mt. Water System at this time.

2020-10-15 Otis Update

Echo Mt. Water System: Our well pump has suffered some sort of failure and continues to shut itself off. We have coordinated for a well pump specialist to come evaluate on Friday, October 16. It is our hope that he will be able to diagnose and repair it so that we can restore water service over the weekend. Thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time.

Riverbend Water Systems: Lab results show that the water is safe to drink again so we are removing the boil water guidance.

2020-10-13 Otis Update

Echo Mt. and Riverbend Water Systems: We received good news that there are not elevated levels of VOC's in either water system. We are removing the guidance to not drink or boil the water. The water is safe to boil. It is also safe to take hot showers and use for other household purposes. However, we recommend you only drink the water after it has been boiled (boil water notice). Although we have received some test results showing an absence of contaminants, both water systems have sustained damage to distribution lines that have resulted in loss of system pressure at various times since the fire. Consequently, we are continuing to take samples for testing and will remove the boil water notice when lab results indicate it is prudent to do so.

2020-10-07 Otis update

Echo Mt. - We have continued to fix leaks that were caused by the fire and turn off water services at properties where homes were lost. We have verified that our lower reservoir is partially full and we have manually started the pump to boost water to the upper reservoir from the lower reservoir. We are hopeful that water service will soon be restored to the majority of the remaining homes as we continue to repair leaks as we find them. Thank you for your continued patience.

2020-10-02 Otis Update

Echo Mt. Our primary well pump has been reconnected to Pacific Power and has been put back in service. It will take a while to re-pressurize the distribution water lines and fill the tanks, but we expect water service to be restored to remaining homes in the coming days. We will be following typical water sampling protocol to verify the absence of coliform and e-coli in the water. As an additional precaution, we will be testing for elevated VOC's in the water because of concerns related to impact on our PVC lines from the fire. Notices have been distributed Please be prepared to potentially not consume water for an extended period of time due to these concerns and the loss of our chlorination treatment due to the fire. 

Riverbend - we are taking the same precaution to not drink or boil the water until we can verify there are not elevated VOC's in the water. Notices have been distributed. Thank you for your patience as we wait for VOC test results.

Boulder/Bear Creek. We are not taking the same precautions regarding restrictions to the drinking water because no structures were lost in these areas due to fire.

Sept 29, 2020 Otis area update

 We continue to work on the Echo Mountain water system in order to restore service.  Today we were able to cap several melted service lines.  The well pump controller was also installed.  Pacific Power has moved our electrical service installation request to "Urgent". We are hopeful we will be able to start pumping water into the system soon.

At Riverbend Water System, we are taking additional tests out of an abundance of caution to ensure the fires in the area have not adversely affected the water quality.

Hiland Water continues to be grateful for the community and the workers who have helped out in these difficult times.

2020-09-26 Otis Update

Echo Mt. - Progress was made today at the primary well. It has been temporarily reconnected to the water system and water was pumped into the distribution lines, but they were not completely filled and a few service connections were discovered to have melted on the water system side of the fire. Those connections will be replaced in the coming days. All other connections to homes lost to fire have been turned off. Additionally, our electrician will be on site in a couple days to setup a temporary power connection with Pacific Power that should allow us to run the primary well as needed.

Thank you for your patience as we work to restore water service as soon as possible.

2020-09-23 Otis Update

Boulder Creek - Sample results indicated water is safe to drink. Boil water restrictions have been lifted and signs will be removed from the neighborhood in the coming days. 

Riverbend - Multiple leaks in the pipeline serving the Jade, Toad Hill, and Duncan Creek Rd. areas were discovered and repaired yesterday. Samples were taken from the water system and results indicated water is safe to drink. Boil water restrictions have been lifted and signs will be removed from the neighborhood in the coming days. 

Echo Mt. continuing efforts are being made to start pumping water back into the distribution system. Parts have been compiled to reconnect the primary well to the distribution pipeline and an electrician has been scheduled to install a temporary power connection from Pacific Power. We will continue to update our progress on this blog.

2020-09-22 Otis Update

Bear Creek - Lab results confirmed the water is safe to drink. We are removing the boil water restriction as of today. 

Echo Mt. - We were successfully able to pump water out of the primary well using a generator. We are putting together plans to reconnect our distribution piping to the well and hope to start pumping water back into the system by the end of the week. Since multiple pump stations sustained damage, homes at higher elevations, particularly on Echo Mountain Road, will not likely receive service after these initial steps are taken. Once water service is restored, please do not consume. We need to take a number of tests to confirm that the fire did not cause contamination in the distribution lines. 

The results from our initial sample at Riverbend Water indicate that a boil water precaution should remain in place for now. We will update this blog when the water is safe to drink. Additionally, we have experienced multiple line breaks affecting service on the line service Jade, Duncan Creek, and Toad Hill. We are working to repair the line right away.

2020-09-21 Otis Update

Boulder Creek update: We found and resolved the source of water loss on Sunday, September 20. Our water reservoir are full again and we do not anticipate further service interruptions at this time. If you experience an interruption, please call our office. Boil Water Notice is still in effect.

2020-09-19 Otis Update

Today we learned that the evacuation orders were lifted for the Riverbend Water System area. The water system is fully operational but we are keeping the boil water notice in effect until we are able to get lab results verifying that it is safe to drink. We also responded to several utility locate requests in the Echo Mt. area in order for Pacific Power to continue its work toward restoring power to the area. We are not currently producing water at the Echo Mt. water system and will update this blog as things progress in that area. At Boulder Creek, we have been unable so far to fill the upper reservoir although all homes currently have water service. We believe there is mainline damage near the upper reservoir in an uncleared area where trees have fallen. Our crews will be clearing trees and searching for that leak on Sunday. Repair may require a pause in water production for a period of time, so please be prepared for intermittent service outages. Bear Creek continues to operate without issues. More samples will be taken and we will provide an update when the boil water notice is lifted.

2020-09-18 Update on progress in the Otis area

Just a quick update on our progress in the Otis area:

We continue to work on Bear Creek water system supply safe drinking water.  At this point, our sample results have indicated that a boil water precaution should remain in place for now. We will update this blog when the water is safe to drink.

Boulder Creek water system continues to have issues that we are addressing. Power was restored temporarily on Wednesday. On Thursday, power was turned off at part of the plant in order for necessary electrical repairs to take place. We are aware several customers have experienced intermittent water supply and lost pressure during that repair. It is hoped that water service will be restored soon, but the production will be halted for a time during Friday in order to perform necessary treatment plant maintenance, which may result in additional interruptions to water service.

Bringing the full water system up to pressure takes time due to our low production capacity, but we anticipate restoring consistent service by the end of Friday, September 18. We continue to work to return the water system to a reliable state with full water reservoirs and ask for your patience in these extraordinary times. A boil water notice remains in effect for drinking water.

Echo Mountain Water and Riverbend Water remain in evacuation status. We remain unable to serve water at the Echo Mountain Water System and are working on plans to pump emergency water as soon as possible. We are pumping water at the Riverbend Water System. A boil water notice is in effect.

Hiland Water is grateful for the opportunity to serve these communities. 

Fire and windstorm in the Otis area update September 14, 2020

Here are a few questions and answers about our current status in the Otis area.

Q: Is the water back on? If not, when will it be back on?

A: The effects of the windstorms and wildfires over the last week have been detrimental to our facilities in some critical areas of our water systems in Otis. Please see the following answers depending on your area.

    (1) Water systems referred to as Echo Mountain and Riverbend have an unknown status. We are working with local authorities to get a better idea of the damage to the system     but do not anticipate having water restored soon. As soon as the fire is more contained and we have more solidified answers we will provide them. For a daily update on the     fire damage and containment level, please go to https://odfwildfire.wpengine.com/

    

    (2) Water systems referred to as Bear Creek and Boulder Creek have power outages and mainline breaks that have occurred as a result of the inflicting weather and hindered     our ability to pump water. Our crews are working to remove the debris and fallen trees blocking access to our facilities as well as fix any known mainline leaks in the area. With     the power not being restored yet, we have brought in backup generators to pump water during normal business hours and will be monitored by our team on site only during     the week day. The water provided by pumping with the generators should used at a basic level for household items only and is not for irrigation or consumption unless it has     been boiled. Water that has been boiled for one minute will be safe to drink. The boil water notice will remain in effect until regular power is restored.

Q: I had water this morning but now I don't. Should I call Hiland?

A: Water service may be intermittent until the power is restored. The generators will only be pumping during week days. We ask customers to please conserve water to allow the reservoirs to fill and allow for more consistent water service.

Q: I had to evacuate my house. I came back and don't have any water but all of my neighbors do. What should I do?

A: Give our office a call. If we found water running through your meter during the evacuation, we shut it off to conserve and help restore the reservoir levels. We can have a technician restore water when you return.

Q: My house burned down during the evacuation. What is my bill going to look like?

A: Please give our office a call to discuss your options as it is dependent on your particular situation. We will do our best to partner with you during this difficult time.

For reference, here is a before and after picture of one of our reservoir and pump stations. Please stay safe and look out for each other. 

Fire even update for water service in Otis, Sunday, September 13, 2020

Today, Sunday September 13, 2020, we are working on delivering water to our customers in Boulder Creek and Bear Creek water systems.  We are using generators and water service will be intermittent and water should be boiled before consumption until power is restored.  At this time, the area remains under evacuation order.  Please stay safe as we continue to work as a community through this crisis.

Oregon wind and fire event

In our current situation of unprecedented fires in the State of Oregon, we are continuing to work to provide water to our customers as much as possible.  Hiland manages many different water systems throughout the State of Oregon, many of which have been impacted by fires and power outages. Many of our systems rely on power to run pumps and equipment. As power outages persist, we are working to use generators where we are able. Even with our efforts, water outages will likely continue to occur. We will continue to respond as we are able. With the unpredictability of the situation, we are adapting. We hope each of our customers remains safe and is able to navigate this situation.

Water shortages are more common in hot weather.  With the additional strain of our current situation, we ask that all customers use water wisely.  If possible, please reduce excess usage.

Hiland Water

Hiland water office will be closed on July 3rd 2020 for Independence day. Have a fun and safe 4th of July 🎆🎇

Updates at the Hiland Office Jan 6, 2020

Hiland Water offices are updating their phone system on Monday, January 6, 2020.  We have planned and prepared for minimal outages, however, please be prepared for unforeseen outages. Thank you.

UPDATE:
When calling the office, please press "0", "1", or stay on the line to connect to the front desk.  We are working on a fix for this issue.