Portland transitions to primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed

Press Release

Secondary groundwater source provided supplemental water supply during a dry autumn

The Portland Water Bureau has returned to providing 100% Bull Runwater to Portlanders. Since October 10th, the Portland Water Bureau has been supplementing the Bull Run supply by blending our secondary water source, groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field, with the Bull Run supply to meet customers' needs during a warm, dry autumn.

It can take up to two weeks after a transition like this for customers receive 100 percent Bull Run water at their taps, depending on the location.

Careful management of the groundwater system allowed us to provide clean, safe drinking water to the region despite this year's unseasonably dry fall weather.

"Providing clean and safe drinking water to the region during dry seasons, which are becoming longer due to climate change, requires extensive planning," Portland Water Bureau Director Edward Campbell said. "We're working hard to keep the water flowing no matter the weather."

Water system investments matter

Our ability to reliably provide clean, safe water for future generations depends on sustaining investmentsin our water system. Ratepayer funding makes it possible for the bureau to tap two sources of clean, reliable water to adapt to a changing environment.

Portland Water is planning a new filtration facility and pipelines to keep our water safe and abundant for the nearly one million people who depend on it today and for future generations.

"When you pay your water bill, you're investing in our community's ability to maintain our resilient water system," Director Campbell said.

Thankful for the water experts who make it happen

Supplying drinking water to nearly one million Oregonians requires a dedicated, highly skilled workforce. The Portland Water Bureau employs about 600 people.

"The complex work to keep our water safe and abundant is easy to overlook when you turn on the tap," said Kimberly Gupta, Director of Operations. "Public servants including certified operators, engineers, construction crews, customer service staff and lab techs work hard every day to continually protect our health and safety."