Portland is a Sanctuary City
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Update on chemical munitions use near ICE facility
City leaders are concerned about the use of chemical munitions near the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland. Here are the steps we’re taking to reduce use and impact.
News article
City rate increases go into effect on July 1
Rates and fees pay for the vital services Portlanders rely on every day, like water, sewers, streets, parks and garbage pickup. Rate and fee increases support operations, repair and replacement to keep our city safe and sustainable. Here's a summary for fiscal year 2025-26.
News article
Protecting Portland’s Rivers with Pride
Project coordinator Debbie Caselton works on helping you and your neighbors stay informed about construction projects for the Bureau of Environmental Services. It's called community outreach, and it's a vital part of our work.
Blog post
Willamette River Recreation: Check the Rec Season Has Begun
As summer approaches and warm weather returns to Portland, so does Check the Rec. From late May through September, Environmental Services tests water quality weekly at popular Willamette River recreation spots.
News article
CSO Advisory: Combined sewer overflow to the Willamette River from a single outfall near Willamette Park
A rainstorm moving through Portland this afternoon (Monday, May 12) led to a combined sewer overflow (CSO) from a single outfall near Willamette Park at 4:53 p.m.
News article
Advisory: Sewer and Stormwater Backup on North Columbia Boulevard
Westbound N Columbia Blvd is currently closed west of the I-5 off-ramp due to a potential sewer and stormwater backup. Eastbound N Columbia Blvd remains open. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Crews are coordinating road closures to ensure public safety.
Updated News article
Sewage Advisory: Crews Respond to Sewage Release in Southeast Portland, Potential Impact to Johnson Creek
City crews responded Monday, May 5, to a sewage release from multiple maintenance holes in Southeast Portland. Some of the release reached a tributary of Johnson Creek. As a precaution, the public is advised to avoid Johnson Creek west of SE 122nd Avenue.
News article
Building Infrastructure and Our Workforce: Environmental Services Celebrates National Apprenticeship Day
In celebration of National Apprenticeship Day, Environmental Services is proud to highlight the success of the Secondary Treatment Expansion Program at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant—not just as a critical infrastructure investment, but as an investment in our region’s workforce.
News article
Sewage Advisory: Crews Respond to Sewage Release in SW Portland, Potential Impact to Fanno Creek
On Monday evening, April 28, City crews responded to a report of a sewage release from a maintenance hole on SW 42nd Avenue between SW Lee and SW Admiral Streets. Some of the release may have reached Fanno Creek. As a precaution, the public is advised to avoid the creek west of this location.
News article
Environmental Services requests public comment on proposed changes to public sewer and stormwater management user charges
Environmental Services is proposing revisions to City policies that outline sanitary sewer and stormwater management user charges. These changes will not change the charges customers see on their utility bills. The public comment period was open from April 28 through May 27, 2025.
Public notice
Sinkhole Response and Sewer Repair on SW 17th Avenue
Environmental Services has responded to and is actively monitoring a sinkhole that developed on SW 17th Avenue between SW Columbia and SW Clay streets. The sinkhole exposed a cavity beneath the roadway, revealing damage to a brick-constructed sewer line built in 1889.
News article
News Release: City of Portland's Trees in the Curb Zone pilot project adds more green space on SE Duke Street, wins local recognition
Turning underused parking spaces into green spaces.
Press release
Sewage Advisory: Crews respond to sewage release in commercial area of NE Portland
On Friday morning, March 21, City crews responded to reports of a sewage release from a private sewer pipe on NE Colfax St. in a commercial area of Northeast Portland.
News article
Flushed with pride
Engineer Christa Overby makes sure the City of Portland’s immense wastewater treatment system keeps working around the clock.
Blog post
Advisory: Crews respond to sewage release on I-84
On Saturday night, March 15, City crews responded to reports of a sewage release from a maintenance hole on westbound I-84 just west of the NE 21st overpass. Some of that release may have entered storm drains that drain to an outfall on the Willamette River.
Press release
Advisory: Sewage Release to Bridlemile Creek in SW Portland
On Friday, March 14, City crews responded to a sewage release from a private residence near SW Jerald Ct and SW Bridlemile Ln. The release originates from the property’s private sewer lateral, with sewage seeping into Bridlemile Creek.
Press release
Sewage Advisory: Crews respond to sewage release in NE Portland
On Wednesday night, March 12, City crews responded to reports of a sewage release from a maintenance hole and stormwater inlet near 2601 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
Press release
Sewage Advisory: Crews respond to sewage release in NE Portland
On Thursday afternoon, March 6, City crews responded to reports of a sewage release from maintenance holes near NE Meadow Drive and NE 13th Ave. Some of that release entered Columbia Slough drainage ditches.
Press release
CSO Advisory: Atmospheric river leads to combined sewer overflow to the Willamette River
Heavy rains over the weekend led the Big Pipe system to reach capacity around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, leading to a combination of stormwater and sewage overflowing to the Willamette River from multiple outfalls.
Updated Press release
Portland Water Bureau and Environmental Services directors plan to retire, City advances One Water initiative
News article
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