WALTERVILLE, Ore. — Emergency responders will wade into the McKenzie River Wednesday to practice containing a hazardous spill as part of an annual drill aimed at protecting Eugene’s drinking water supply.
The Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) will lead its yearly “spill drill” on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. at Hendricks Bridge County Park in Walterville. The exercise will include dozens of watershed scientists, firefighters and hazardous materials specialists setting up fast-water containment booms designed to direct surface contaminants such as oil into a skimmer that can remove it from the water. Responders control the booms using a series of ropes spanning the river.
EWEB coordinates the drill as part of its work to protect the McKenzie River, which it said is the source of drinking water for more than 200,000 residents of Eugene and Springfield…