Portland transitions to primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed

The Portland Water Bureau has returned to providing 100 percent Bull Run water to Portlanders.

Recent heavy rains caused a rapid increase in turbidity (organic material in the water) in the Bull Run Watershed. Due to this increased turbidity, on December 19 we temporarily turned off the Bull Run water supply and began serving 100 percent groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field.

It can take up to two weeks for customers to receive 100 percent Bull Run water at their taps, depending on their location. As the turbidity continues to settle, customers may notice a slight tea like color to the Bull Run source. This is a harmless discoloration from fine organic matter in the Bull Run.

Careful management of the groundwater system allowed us to provide clean, safe drinking water to the region despite this year's heavy rains.

"Extreme weather events are prompting us to invest in water infrastructure like groundwater and filtration that help keep our water clean and safe," said Portland Water Bureau Interim Director Quisha Light. "We're investing in maintenance and improvements today so our community can count on reliable water no matter the weather."

Our ability to reliably provide clean, safe water for future generations depends on sustaining investments in our water system. Customer fundingmakes 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.

The new Bull Run filtration facilitywill be another powerful tool in addressing the potential water quality impacts of extreme weather events. The filtration facility will be able to remove sediment, organic material and other contaminants from our water-enabling the Water Bureau to reliably serve Bull Run water after an event like an extreme storm. It will also remove disease-causing microorganisms from our water to make it even safer.

"We share in the benefits and costs of the critical work to maintain our resilient water system," Light said. "You fund this critical work every time you pay your water bill."

Customers with questions should contact the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525

Bull Run Treatment Projects

The Bull Run Filtration Project will reduce the impact of turbidity events and remove Cryptosporidium and other potential contaminants from the Bull Run supply, producing cleaner, safer water for the nearly one million people who use our water today and for future generations. The project is required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and a compliance agreement with the Oregon Health Authority.

Learn more about the filtration project