The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) is a partnership between the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Lane County. The MWMC is responsible for regional wastewater treatment in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and is committed to a cooperative partnership between agencies, sustainable solutions, and, above all, keeping our water clean!
To successfully protect the health of our community and our environment, our Board of Commissioners set our strategies based on five Key Outcomes.
MWMC Board of Commissioners
The MWMC Board of Commissioners consists of seven representatives, including three members from Eugene, two from Springfield, and two from Lane County. Together, they set the budget and policy direction for the MWMC. The MWMC’s regional wastewater program budget is approved annually by the Eugene City Council, Springfield City Council, and the Lane County Board of Commissioners. In June, Commissioner Dawn Lesley was appointed as Eugene’s citizen representative, succeeding Commissioner Peter Ruffier, who served through May. The MWMC extends its gratitude to Commissioner Ruffier for nine years of dedicated service to the MWMC and the community.
Award Winning Performance
Utility of the Future Today
The MWMC was recognized this year as a Utility of the Future Today by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), in the areas of Partnership and Community Engagement. James McClendon (pictured center), Finance & Administrative Manager for the City of Eugene's Wastewater Division, accepted the award on behalf of the MWMC at the 2025 WEF Tech Conference.
One Water Cycle Campaign
While stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water are handled through separate systems, it’s still all one water! One Water, a public education campaign, launched in 2025 to raise awareness of the collaboration between local agencies to manage water resources safely and responsibly at every level. Bringing together all the partners involved in our urban water systems, One Water includes an educational video, webpage, teachable curriculum, and visual materials. In February 2026, MWMC Communications staff attended the winter NACWA conference to receive a National Environmental Achievement award for the campaign in the Public Information & Education: E-Media category.
Pure Water Partners
The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (Oregon ACWA) honored the MWMC and The Freshwater Trust with an Outstanding Agency Project award for our roles in forming the Pure Water Partners (PWP). MWMC staff and partners accepted the award at the Oregon ACWA conference in July. The PWP is a multi-partner collaborative that works with private landowners to restore natural vegetation to riverbanks and tributary waterways. Restoration helps to improve biodiversity, protect the river from pollutants, provide cooler water temperatures, and provide wildfire resiliency.
Operations
Clean Water by the Numbers
Our regional wastewater treatment facility cleans water 24/7, every hour of every day. In 2025, we cleaned a total of 12.4 billion gallons of water. That's an average of 34 million gallons per day. During dry summer months, flows are usually less than 30 million gallons per day. During the rainy season, the hundreds of miles of wastewater lines throughout our service area experience rainfall-derived flows – also known as "inflow and infiltration". We reached our peak flow on March 16th, with 231 million gallons.
Testing, Testing...
This year, our lab staff and operators performed over 23,500 analyses to monitor water quality. Constant testing ensures our water complies with regulatory standards, protects human health and aquatic wildlife, and keeps the Willamette River and surrounding waterways clean.
Sustainability: From Waste to Fuel
Our Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility harvests methane from byproducts of the wastewater treatment process and purifies it, making it available as a fuel source for our community. Our renewable natural gas is injected in NW Natural's pipeline. In 2025, we produced 44.9 million cubic feet of renewable natural gas. Not only does this advance our sustainability goals, but it also generates revenue that aids in keeping costs low for customers.
Capital Improvements
Project Spotlight: Administration & Operations Building
Groundbreaking for the new Administration & Operations building was an exciting milestone for the MWMC. As one of the first things you see or visit upon entering the property, this welcoming space will offer a public education room, structural improvements for earthquake resiliency, and modern communications and energy efficiency upgrades. The building is set to be complete in fall 2026, with the photo on the left showing the progress as of December 2025.
Other Project Milestones
Aeration System Upgrades: as the primary biological treatment process of our operation, the aeration basins are critical to our high level of performance under a range of conditions. Improvements to this system will update their structural integrity, performance, and efficiency. This year:
- Brown & Caldwell completed the final project design in February.
- In June, Pacific Excavation was awarded the construction contract.
- Throughout the summer, submittal review and pre-construction were finalized on the majority of the improvement designs.
Glenwood Pump Station Upgrades: this pump station is critical to delivering flows from Laurel Valley in Eugene and Glenwood in Springfield through pipes beneath the Willamette River to the treatment plant. Improvements will upgrade the pumping capacity and efficiency. Progress in 2025 included:
- In September, the MWMC entered into a contract with Pacific Excavation for the upgrades.
- Construction began with completion scheduled in early 2026.
Biosolids Management
Returning Nutrients to Nature
Biosolids, a byproduct of treating wastewater, are managed by the MWMC in a way that recycles nutrients back into a living system rather than incinerating them or sending them to the landfill. At our Biocycle Farm between Eugene and Junction City, nutrient-rich biosolids from the treatment plant are applied as fertilizer to grow poplar trees, which are harvested every 10-12 years. In 2025, the MWMC produced 3,751 dry tons of biosolids, to be applied as fertilizer. We distributed 2,437 tons to grass farms, and 1,314 tons were applied to our 400-acre poplar tree farm.
As poplar trees continued to grow at the farm, 22.8 million gallons of recycled water were used to irrigate this sustainable crop.
Future Planning
Comprehensive Facilities Plan
The goal of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan (CFP) is to build on previous planning efforts to develop a practical and cost-effective list of capital improvements necessary to meet community wastewater needs and evolving environmental standards for all MWMC Regional Wastewater Program facilities for the next 20-plus years. Condition assessments, technical analysis, and forecast modeling was completed throughout 2025, with the first volume in a series of three to be published in 2026. Volume 1, the Process Facilities Plan, identifies a capital improvement strategy and project recommendations that do the following:
- Accommodate projected growth in Eugene-Springfield through 2045.
- Maximize the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant’s existing infrastructure and increase facility resilience.
- Identify capital project recommendations and areas requiring further study.
- Provide regulatory clarity for regional system NPDES permit compliance.
Engaging at Every Level
Planning for the future also involves building strong relationships at local, state, and national levels. In 2025, MWMC staff presented on our work to various local groups and organizations, attended conferences, and took part in Water Day at the Capitol (pictured) to advocate directly to legislators on water issues that affect our communities. In addition, the Planning and Policy Team identified and activated on important regulatory issues, providing letters of support and joining coalitions to advance clean water goals.
Letters of support during Oregon's 2025 Legislative Session include:
- Support for HB2947, advancing biosolids PFAS studies.
- Support for HB2169, addressing regulatory barriers to water reuse efforts.
- Support for HB3634, establishing a Water Workforce Program for vital workforce development initiatives.
- Support for SB956, underscoring the need for state investment in wastewater solutions for our smaller, rural community neighbors.
Public Education & Outreach
Another Cohort 'Graduates' from Clean Water University
Clean Water University took place over two days in October 2025 with wonderful weather and an engaged cohort of students, teachers, and volunteers.
430 students from 7 schools participated in 10 activities all focused on different aspects of water and water science. From studying microscopic bugs to playing pollution prevention games, students walked away knowing more about how their own actions can support clean water from now into the future.
Regional Treatment Plant Tours
In 2025, MWMC staff completed 16 tours of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, reaching an estimated 320 people. Combined with tour groups from Clean Water University, that's 750 individuals who toured the plant!
Communications staff also continued with other outreach strategies, such as event sponsorships and appearances, news interviews, and growing the MWMC's social media reach.
Industrial Pretreatment
Working Together with Industry
This year, Springfield Industrial Pretreatment staff conducted 20 site inspections and 52 sampling events. Eugene's pretreatment team conducted 28 inspections and 112 sampling events. Together, Eugene and Springfield work as a team to ensure that businesses and industries are compliant with environmental regulations that protect our wastewater pipes and treatment processes from harmful or dangerous pollutants. In addition, the MWMC's Regional Industrial Pretreatment program launched a new Mercury Minimization Plan (MMP), and completed updates to key documents, including the Wastewater Discharge Permits, Implementation Procedures Manual, and Enforcement Response Plan.
Environmental Compliance Awards
Each year, the MWMC's Regional Industrial Pretreatment team awards a certificate to all businesses that achieve 100% compliance with their Wastewater Discharge Permit. Environmental Compliance awards recognize these businesses for their dedication to protecting our local wastewater systems, community health, and the environment. In 2025, the City of Eugene delivered 11 compliance awards to the following industries: ALSCO, Altech, Arkham, Bowtech Anodizing, Forrest Technical Coatings, Ninkasi, Oregon Ice Cream, Pierce Fittings, Quality Metal Finishing, Springfield Creamery, and Superior Steel Fabrication. The City of Springfield delivered 8 compliance awards: Arclin U.S.A. LLC, International Paper Company, Lane County Waste Management Division, Mckenzie Willamette Medical Center, Rosboro Company, LLC, Sanipac, Inc., Swanson Group MFG., LLC, and Willamalane Park & Recreation District.
Finances
Maintaining Fiscal Stability
The Board establishes regional rates to ensure sufficient revenue for meeting bond obligations, sustaining the community’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, and preserving a strong credit standing. Incremental adjustments are implemented each year to prevent sudden increases, address rising costs for construction, utilities, and treatment chemicals, and to prepare the MWMC for potential future bond financing in support of capital improvement projects. The MWMC is committed to responsible, sound financial planning that protects our utility's future while being mindful of our community members' pocketbooks. In 2025, the MWMC passed a rate increase of 5.0% percent. That translates to about $1.60 more per month for the average customer.
The MWMC also conducts an annual financial audit to ensure that our community's funds are accounted for accurately and used wisely. This year's audit showed all clean results.