The City of Portland will consider integrating water, sewer, and stormwater services by adopting the “One Water” model, which is gaining popularity nationwide for its environmental, equity, and economic benefits.
Mayor Ted Wheeler announced today that he is directing the City’s Public Works Service Area to deliver an assessment this fall outlining how Portland could adapt the One Water model, what challenges would need to be addressed and what timeline would be realistic.
One Water would align the Water and Environmental Services bureaus to optimize Portland’s water systems – from processing millions of gallons of wastewater each day and managing rain to prevent flooding and erosion to reliably treating and delivering clean, safe water from our sources to the tap. Many cities, including Seattle, operate a single water utility.
As Oregon’s largest water provider, the Portland Water Bureau delivers an average of 93 million gallons of drinking water per day. Environmental Services processes approximately 70 million gallons of wastewater every day and manages stormwater infrastructure to protect public health and our rivers and streams. The bureaus have a combined workforce of about 1,300 people and a combined annual operating budget of approximately $1.3 billion.
Priya Dhanapal, Portland’s Deputy City Administrator for Public Works, will lead a One Water task force alongside Acting Water Director Edward Campbell and Environmental Services Director Dawn Uchiyama. The city will immediately join the US Water Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports innovative approaches to managing water.
The task force will conduct research and invite City staff and key industry partners to provide preliminary input about Portland’s water systems. More robust community engagement is anticipated if the project progresses beyond an assessment.
“One Water has the potential to benefit our environment, enhance our operational efficiency, and serve our community effectively,” Dhanapal said. “If we move forward after this initial assessment, we are committed to developing a robust understanding of both the benefits and challenges of One Water. Staff, partners, experts and community members will all play a meaningful role.”
Following six to eight weeks of assessment, the task force will deliver a report. The mayor will consult with Portland’s new City Leadership Team about whether to pursue the One Water model and bring any necessary legislation to the Portland City Council for their adoption.
This initiative coincides with voter-approved changes to Portland’s form of government.
The City launched a new organizational structure this month in preparation for January, when an expanded city council will take office as the city’s legislative body – and an executive mayor will oversee operations in collaboration with a city administrator. As of July 1, Wheeler serves as commissioner-in-charge for all city bureaus, which are organized in six “service areas” with common missions.
Wheeler has vowed to identify efficiencies and improve government services during his final six months as Portland’s mayor. “Streamlining water, sewer, and stormwater demonstrates the effective, efficient government that Portlanders demanded,” Wheeler said. “We have the opportunity to elevate an essential community resource and make it even better.”