Storage

The Joint Water Commission’s Fernhill Reservoirs play a critical role in ensuring a reliable supply of safe drinking water for the region. Together, these massive facilities can store up to 40 million gallons, making them among the largest potable water tanks in Oregon.

Fernhill Reservoirs 1 and 2

The Joint Water Commission (JWC) can store a total of 40-million gallons (MG) of treated drinking water in the two Fernhill Reservoirs.

The concrete reservoirs are located on a hill approximately one-third mile east of the JWC Water Treatment Plant. The reservoirs are two of the largest potable water tanks in Oregon.

Inspections on the reservoirs are performed by specially trained scuba inspectors.

Fernhill Reservoir aerial view with forest around

Reservoir 1

  • Made of concrete
  • Can store up to 20 MG of treated drinking water
  • Built for $3.3 million
  • In operation since 1983
  • Underwent rehabilitation in 2006

Reservoir 2

  • Made of concrete
  • Can store up to 20 MG of treated drinking water
  • Built in conjunction with Reservoir 1 rehabilitation, costing $17.4 million 
  • In operation since 2006
  • Wrapped in 141 miles of cable, enough to stretch from Fernhill all the way to Cottage Grove, Oregon