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The Portland Water Bureau monitors weather, water levels, and water use to ensure our customers have access to plenty of safe, clean drinking water all year. Thanks to careful planning and investment in two high-quality water sources, we’ll continue to meet our community’s needs for decades to come.
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After our mild winter and warm, dry spring, you may be wondering about Portland's water supply and what to expect this summer. You'll be glad to learn that we expect to have enough water to meet our community's needs this year and for decades to come. This didn't happen by accident—it's the result of decades of careful planning and investment in two high-quality water sources.
A primary water source that depends on rain—not snow
Portland's primary drinking water source, the Bull Run Watershed, is a highly protected temperate rainforest 26 miles east of downtown Portland. Unlike many other water supplies in the western United States, the Bull Run doesn't depend on snowpack for summer water supply. Our two Bull Run reservoirs are easily filled by rain each winter and together hold up to 9.8 billion gallons of drinking water!
Precipitation totals in the Bull Run over the winter were very close to average, completely filling the Bull Run reservoirs.
A high-quality secondary water source
Here in Portland, we're fortunate to have two high-quality water sources. We can use the Columbia South Shore Well Field, our secondary groundwater source, in addition to the Bull Run supply during dry periods.
This year's warm, dry start to summer means an early start to drawdown of the Bull Run reservoirs. Drawdown is the period when water demand is greater than the amount of water flowing into our reservoirs. During drawdown, the surface levels of the water in the reservoirs drop. Drawdown happens each year during the dry season and lasts until the fall rains refill the reservoirs.
But this kind of situation is exactly why we invest in our secondary water source. We'll be able to supplement the Bull Run supply with water from the Columbia South Shore Well Field if we need to!
Careful planning
As stewards of Portland's drinking water system, we are committed to clean, safe, abundant water for every Portlander—all year round. Each year, the Water Bureau develops a Seasonal Supply Plan. We carefully monitor reservoir levels, weather forecasts, and water use patterns and plan for a range of possible supply conditions. We'll continue to closely monitor our water supply and manage the drinking water system so we can meet our customers' needs whatever weather conditions we face.
Tracking the amount of usable water stored in the Bull Run reservoirs is one part of our seasonal supply planning process! Visit our seasonal supply planning webpage to follow along with water supply updates throughout the summer.
Learn more about seasonal supply planning
Using water wisely
Even though we don't expect to have water supply issues this year, it's always a good idea to use water wisely. Our Water Efficiency team can help you save water in your home and outdoors. We also offer rebates and free water-saving devices for your home.
Water supplies in the region and across the west
While Portland is fortunate to have access to enough drinking water this summer, this year's weather has affected some water supplies differently. Large parts of the western United States, including parts of Oregon, are facing developing or continuing drought conditions.
In the greater Portland area, people get their water from a variety of sources. Some of these sources could be experiencing impacts from this year's dry conditions. The Regional Water Providers Consortium has more information about other water suppliers in the Portland area and how they are addressing these challenges.