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