Customer Newsletter, Spring 2024

Information
Collage of photos includes waterfall, fish in stream, public fountain with rainbow, people walking with umbrellas, icon for newsletter and blue panel with waves
Quarterly newsletter from Environmental Services and Portland Water — Portland's service providers for sewer, stormwater, and water. In this issue, find information on the importance of water, our new Smart Discount Program, how to prevent sewer backups, and gardening with Pacific Northwest plants.
On this page
Collage of photos including waterfalls, child with yellow raincoat and boots jumping into a puddle, and latte with a heart design in the foam. Water is overlaid on a blue banner in the bottom left.

Water

Photo of a drinking fountain with four bubbling streams of water

It’s in your favorite cup of coffee, the winter rains, the winding rivers and streams, and snowcapped Mt. Hood. Its abundance is what makes Portland, Portland. We may take water for granted, but we feel the impact when there’s too much or too little. Clean water is the foundation of a healthy community, supporting our economy and keeping our businesses and services operational. Fortunately, thanks to the work of the Water Bureau and the Bureau of  Environmental Services, clean water flows out of your taps, your toilets flush, stormwater flows away, and our local rivers and streams are healthier than they’ve been in decades.

Collage of photos showing a fish in a stream and a rainbow over a public plaza fountain.

Collage of photos shows family together eating, family outside, and person walking.

Coming soon! Smart Discount Program

Later this year, we will launch a pilot program that will automatically reduce utility bills for customers facing financial hardship. Learn how our Smart Discount Program will help more people afford their bill.


What you flush matters

Photo shows a sewer manhole overflowing.

Sewer backups and overflows are not only gross but can also be hazardous to your health and expensive to clean up. The most common causes of backups and overflows are pipes clogged with cooking grease sent down kitchen drains and wet wipes that are flushed. These items belong in the trash, not down the drain. Find more information about what is safe and not safe to flush.


Right plant. Right place.

Cover of native plant poster shows purple flowers and a butterfly

The Native Plants of the Willamette Valley poster can help you find the right plant for your space. Native plants are well suited to our climate and soil conditions.


The City of Portland is committed to providing meaningful access. To request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services, contact 503-823-7770, Relay: 711, or pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov.

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  口笔译服务  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या  |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad  |  Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas 

Translation and Interpretation:   503-823-7770  |  portland.gov/water/access