Lebanon Utilities rules out direct Eagle Creek Park wastewater discharge amid routing review

Lebanon Utilities rules out direct Eagle Creek Park wastewater discharge amid routing reviewFollowing public scrutiny, the Lebanon Utility Service Board has clarified its ongoing evaluation of wastewater outfall locations, officially removing the Eagle Creek Park site from consideration while continuing to study other regional watershed options for its massive LEAP district.

A board member clarified that while early engineering reports studied Eagle Creek Park as a preferred discharge point, it is no longer being considered for direct discharge or construction.

The broader Eagle Creek Reservoir and several other locations remain under active evaluation, with the final outfall site yet to be selected.

The board approved $51,400 in contracts with Butler, Fairman and Seifert to prepare 2026 capital improvement plans for both its Civil and LEAP districts.

The utility signaled a policy shift away from ratepayer-funded speculative sewer extensions, requiring developers to pay for new infrastructure connections.

To manage rapid growth, the board created a new in-house construction inspector position to oversee civil district water and wastewater connections.

A Lebanon Utility Service Board member clarified during a May 6, 2026, meeting that the utility is no longer considering a direct wastewater discharge line into Eagle Creek Park, addressing recent reports in the local press. A preliminary engineering report prepared by Wessler Engineering in February 2026 had initially studied the park as a preferred potential discharge point. However, the board member stated that the engineering team has since adjusted its approach to review other options in more detail. "A direct discharge point with any construction in Eagle Creek Park is not [being considered]," the board member said, noting that discharging into the broader Eagle Creek watershed or reservoir remains under review alongside several other potential sites. The board emphasized that the technical and regulatory evaluation is still evolving, with seven potential sites originally listed in a presentation by engineer of record Bob Holden. The board committed to making all finalized documents regarding the selected outfall location available for public comment prior to a final decision. The outfall routing has drawn significant public attention. During the meeting's public comment period, residents voiced concerns over the environmental impact of discharging into the Eagle Creek system or Fishback Creek. Residents cited concerns over potential phosphorus loading, the reservoir's low flow, and potential threats to local flora and fauna, urging the board to consult with hydrology experts and the Department of Natural Resources. In a related move to manage the utility's rapid infrastructure expansion, the board approved a series of contracts totaling $51,400 with engineering firm Butler, Fairman and Seifert to prepare and update five-year capital improvement plans (CIPs). This includes $22,200 to establish baseline water and wastewater CIPs for the LEAP District. Staff noted that while the district's massive initial projects are funded by State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, the new CIPs will plan for system redundancy, mixed-use zoning adjustments, and future operations and maintenance. The LEAP CIP costs will be funded through LEAP bonds rather than civil ratepayers. The board also approved $29,200 to update the rolling five-year water and wastewater CIPs for the utility's civil district. During the discussion, the utility signaled a policy shift away from "build-it-and-they-will-come" infrastructure, stating an intent to require developers to connect to existing adjacent infrastructure at their own cost rather than relying on ratepayers to fund speculative sewer lines. To handle the influx of new civil district connections, the board also approved the creation of an in-house water and wastewater construction inspector position. The new role will oversee smaller projects and sewer laterals, reducing reliance on third-party consultants for minor inspections while engineering firms continue to oversee major capital projects.