Bull Run Treatment Projects For Our Future

Benefits For Our Future

We're investing in a safe and abundant water future for our community with the Bull Run Treatment Projects. The long-term improvements we're making will enhance our water system’s resilience, reduce future risks, and better protect customers for generations to come.

Builds modern seismically resilient filtration facility and pipelines 

• Enhances resilience of our water system: The filtration facility and pipelines will be built to modern seismic standards to help ensure clean and safe water is available quickly after an earthquake.
• Retires segments of aging pipe: New pipes connecting the filtration facility to the water system will improve reliability by replacing nearby segments of aging, vulnerable pipe.   

Helps protect Bull Run for safe use after a large storm, landslide, or fire

• Improves ability to use Bull Run water during storms: Filtration will increase our ability to use Bull Run water during storms and other natural events that add sediment to the Bull Run reservoirs. 
• Destroys algal toxins: A warming climate may change conditions in the Bull Run Watershed to be more supportive of algae. Filtration treatment with ozone will destroy algal toxins and provide better protection against a range of future risks.
• Provides the quickest recovery after a fire: Hotter, drier summers associated with climate change are expected to increase wildfires in our region. Filtration treatment with ozone will enable the quickest recovery after a fire.

Prepares for future water quality regulations

• Provides multi-barrier protection against contaminants: The new filtration system provides multiple layers of protection to help ensure tap water is safe to drink according to Environmental Protection Agency safe drinking water standards.
• Strengthens toolbox to address future regulations: The new facilities are being designed considering future regulations so it’s easier and more cost-effective to comply.
• On track to be running Sept. 2027: The facility and pipelines will be completed by Sept. 30, 2027, to meet our compliance agreement with the Oregon Health Authority.

Protects ratepayers with long-term, low-rate financing

• Locks in low-cost loan: WIFIA loan interest rates are fixed and locked in at currently very low rates for the life of the loan.
• Helps maintain affordability of water rates: Federal financing is projected to save ratepayers at least $247 million in repayment savings over the term of the loan.
• Allows ratepayers to get benefits before repayment begins: Loan repayment can begin after customers are getting the benefits of the new facilities.
• Continues to support customers with financial challenges: Our robust financial assistance program will continue to support ratepayers who struggle financially.

Blogs

• Tradeswomen building the future 
  Feb. 26, 2021
  Building water infrastructure like the Bull Run Treatment Projects enables skilled tradeswomen to establish rewarding careers and contribute to improving the quality of life in our community.
• Clean Water for All: The purpose-driven work of Humberto Piedra-Ruiz 
  March 25, 2021
  For Humberto Piedra-Ruiz, his work as a civil engineer for the Bull Run Treatment Projects is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to ensure access to clean, reliable water for his daughter and our whole community for generations to come. 
• Science is helping shape the future of Bull Run water
  April 30, 2021
  Water Quality Engineer Mac Gifford shares how we’re using science to learn what works best for our water and help make design decisions for the future filtration facility.
• Water filtration facility is key to a resilient water future for all Portlanders
  May 28, 2021
  Commissioner Mingus Mapps describes his vision for the Portland Water Bureau and how projects like the new filtration facility that make our water supply more reliable and resilient are a win for everyone, including the most vulnerable in our community.

• Clean, safe water is essential to a thriving business and family
  Aug. 31, 2021
  Knowing Portland is investing in safe, clean water gives Tattoo 34 owner and busy mom, Nisha Supahan, confidence in the future for her business, children, and community.

• A safe and resilient water system is vital to prepare and recover from disasters and emergencies
  Sept. 30, 2021
  National Preparedness Month spotlights what firefighters like Lisa Knight see every day—being prepared saves lives. Making our water system more resilient with the Bull Run Treatment Projects is one of the ways the Water Bureau is looking ahead to prepare and protect our community.

More coming soon!