Rainbow Water District Celebrates 75 Years in Springfield
Rainbow Water and Fire District, doing business as Rainbow Water District to serve customers in north and west Springfield, is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Lane County voters formed Rainbow Water District by a special election on August 22, 1949. Rainbow currently supplies water and fire protection – through a contract with Eugene Springfield Fire – to nearly 2,400 homes in areas of unincorporated Lane County adjacent to the city limits in north and west Springfield. Rainbow additionally sells water under a wholesale agreement to the Springfield Utility Board, helping meet the water needs of customers inside the city.
Water from Rainbow’s system of supply wells, piping, and storage reservoirs has supported Springfield’s growth and economic development for seven decades. Rainbow’s water is used for homes and small businesses, schools and office parks, the Gateway commercial areas, and PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.
Rainbow also contracts with five small water systems near Springfield, serving another nearly 600 homes in the areas of Upper Camp Creek, Deerhorn Road, Marcola, and Blue River. These small systems have their own water supplies and governing boards, but seek operational and administrative support from Rainbow’s seven employees. Rainbow staff find it rewarding to support not only Springfield customers but also the larger Lane County community, networking with multiple partner agencies, both inside and outside the urban area. The relationships established during routine operations have proven beneficial when responding to water emergencies and natural disasters.
About Rainbow Water District
Rainbow Water District directly serves customers in and adjacent to Springfield. The special district employs seven people dedicated to supporting nearly 3,000 homes via six different public water systems.
