Portland and the federal government

Learn about our sanctuary city status, efforts to block federal overreach: Portland.gov/Federal

News and notices

Displaying 1 - 10 of 18 related news.

Five reasons why our Drinking Water Source Protection Award is basically an Olympic gold medal

In 2025, the Portland Water Bureau won a Drinking Water Source Protection Award from the State of Oregon. While it’s no skeleton (yes, that’s a real Olympic event), we’d argue that source water protection is as hard as any Olympic event. Don’t believe us? We brought receipts.

Blog post

Water drop costume with a fancy certificate and a gold medal. The drop is superimposed over two images representing the bull run and groundwater sources.

Portland transitions to primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed

Heavy rains caused a rapid increase in turbidity (organic material in the water) in the Bull Run Watershed. A return to more seasonal weather has allowed the turbidity to settle, allowing us to resume serving water from our primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed.

Press release

Dam one in the Bull Run Watershed with fall colors

Water supply switched to groundwater due to rain-driven turbidity

Heavy rains caused a rapid increase in turbidity (organic material in the water) in the Bull Run Watershed. The Portland Water Bureau is temporarily serving 100 percent groundwater. The new filtration facility will reduce impacts of storm runoff in the future.

Press release

An aerial photo of a groundwater pump station next to the Columbia River

Portland transitions to primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed

Secondary groundwater source provided supplemental water supply during a dry summer

Press release

Concrete dam with lake behind it and surrounded by forest with fall colors on the trees

Two years later: Lessons in Preparedness from the Camp Creek Fire

On August 24, 2023, a lightning strike sparked a wildfire in the Bull Run Watershed, Portland's primary drinking water source. Two years later, the fire reminds us that we must continuing investing in a resilient water system.

Press release

Aerial shot of a forested area with a large smoke plume rising from the center while a small plan flies away from the smoke

Portland Water Bureau to activate groundwater system

Despite warm, dry weather Portland’s two drinking water sources continue to meet community’s needs.

Press release

aerial view of green water tank with buildings and solar panels

We’re ready to keep you hydrated this summer

The days are longer and the temperature is rising. That means summer is here. At the Portland Water Bureau, that also means it’s the season of seasonal supply planning. (Try saying that five times fast!)

Blog post

Water reservoir with some exposed dirt slopes on the edges showing it is not completely full

Portland Water Bureau discovers liquid water on moon, builds pipeline to deliver moon water to Portland customers on Earth

The Portland Water Bureau is committed to building a water system that can endure future impacts from climate change. As part of that commitment, the Bureau will begin serving water from a third high-quality water source: the moon.

Blog post

Graphic showing a garden hose connecting the moon to the planet Earth

Portland transitions to primary water source, the Bull Run Watershed

Secondary groundwater source provided supplemental water supply during a dry autumn

Press release

Dam one in the Bull Run Watershed with fall colors

Portland Water Bureau to activate groundwater system

Dry weather and above average temperatures prompt the need to augment the Bull Run supply.

Press release

An aerial photo of a groundwater pump station next to the Columbia River

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