Starting today, Tuesday, July 22, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field into the distribution system. The groundwater will supplement Portland’s main drinking water source, the Bull Run Watershed.
Each year, we plan and prepare for a range of possible water supply and demand conditions. Due to this year’s dry spring, early hot weather, and long-term weather forecasts, we'll use groundwater to help provide plenty of water for our community until the return of the fall rains.
“We monitor water levels, weather, and customer use patterns to plan for the summer’s impact on our water supply,” said Portland Water Bureau Interim Director Quisha Light. “This careful planning ensures we’re ready to meet our region’s water needs now and into the future.”
Customers can expect to receive a blend of water from the Bull Run and the Columbia South Shore Well Field. It can take up to two weeks for the blended water to make its way through the distribution system to homes and businesses.
“With every bill payment, our customers are investing in the resources needed to monitor and maintain our water system,” Light added. “Thanks for your help. Your payments make it possible to deliver safe, clean water every day.”
The Columbia South Shore Well Field is a high-quality water supply that meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. The well field is supplied by deep aquifers that store rainfall in the Portland Basin. Learn more about our groundwater here.
The Portland Water Bureau informs the media and sensitive water users when we activate groundwater or make significant operational changes. We will issue a notification if we make significant changes to the groundwater operation and when we return to 100 percent Bull Run water. Sensitive water users can sign up online to be directly notified by the Portland Water Bureau.
Customers with questions should call the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.