Services and Resources for Water, stormwater, and sewer

This guidance can help applicants and designers understand how the City's Stormwater Management Manual requirements apply to construction projects in the public right-of-way.

By approving the Central City 2035 Plan, Council enacted a new ecoroof requirement that applies to most buildings in the Central City Plan District. Here, we provide clarification for how the requirement of CC2035 relates to the Stormwater Management Manual.

Businesses and industries that discharge wastewater from fermentation and distillation processes are subject to environmental regulations. These businesses include but are not limited to breweries, distilleries, wineries, cideries, meaderies, and kombucharies.

This is an overview of environmental requirements for cannabis industries as currently understood by the City of Portland. The City may impose additional requirements for businesses as more information regarding the pollutants of concern outlined below or others becomes available.

Environmental Services issues permits to industries based on the quality and volume of their wastewater discharges. The permits require industries to treat wastewater to meet pollutant limits, monitor for pollutants, submit compliance reports, and follow other requirements outlined in their permits.

Anyone needing to enter the city's sewer or stormwater system must apply for a permit. Environmental Services requires authorized access in order to protect the public, city workers, and the systems. The city can refuse access if the applicant's request is not in the public interest.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 50 percent of mercury entering public wastewater treatment facilities comes from amalgam discharged by dental practices. To reduce this toxic metal in treatment facilities, the EPA established the Dental Amalgam Rule.

Wash water generated from commercial mobile washing activities is prohibited from entering the City's stormwater system, streets, or right-of-way. To discharge wash water to the sanitary or combined sewer system, businesses must apply for and obtain a Mobile Washer Discharge Authorization.

The Submeter Program is for business customers who discharge a volume of water to the sewer significantly more or less than the incoming water. Customers install submeters on their business’ internal plumbing to accurately measure and bill for water that is discharged to the sewer.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is suitable for soft to hard clays, wet soils, and environmentally sensitive areas. This method avoids having to dig large pits to install jacking and boring machines.

The HYDRA Rainfall Network provides rainfall data from various locations across Portland. Data is updated hourly, subject to revisions, and released on the condition that neither USGS, the United States Government, nor the City of Portland may be held liable for any damages resulting from its use.

Portland has excellent water in part because generations of lawmakers, City staff, and community members have worked to protect Bull Run.

We are committed to reducing our impact on the climate. Here's an overview of the actions we're taking to reduce carbon emissions and become more energy efficient as we continue our essential work of serving drinking water to Portland.

Please email or call us if you have a concern about your bill. If we can’t resolve your concern, you may file a formal, written appeal to the Administrative Review Committee at no cost.

Thank you for managing the rain on your property! Follow these important steps to make sure your rain garden, basin, planter, swale, disconnected downspouts, or other stormwater management facility keeps working safely and as designed.

Suspect you might have a leak? Did you know you can use your water meter to investigate? Here are some tips to help you figure out if there is a leak in your home.

Learn more about different backflow prevention assemblies.

Use the guidance below to determine if your right-of-way project triggers requirements of the 2020 Stormwater Management Manual.

Toilets are one of the likeliest places in the home to find leaks. These leaks can waste thousands of gallons per month! Save money and water by fixing simple toilet leaks yourself. Follow these easy steps.

Water providers routinely measure pH, the water's acidity and alkalinity. The pH of Portland's water ranges between 8.0 and 9.0. You may want to measure water pH at your home if you have aquarium pets. This page contains our tips for you.