Portland Water Bureau to activate groundwater system

News Article

Customers will receive a blend of Bull Run water and Columbia South Shore Well Field water. This routine maintenance operation will help ensure a reliable water system.

Starting today, Thursday, August 1, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field into the distribution system as part of an annual maintenance operation.

The groundwater supply systemis a complex network of pumps, treatment, electronic controls, and other parts. Supply augmentation is an opportunity to identify maintenance needs and ensure that groundwater equipment is operational. This annual groundwater maintenance run ensures the reliability of the system when needed, either in an emergency or as part of seasonal supply.

"We recognize the importance of planning ahead to make sure our water supply continues to meet our regional water needs," said Portland Water Bureau Acting Director Edward Campbell. "This maintenance run will help us prepare for groundwater useshould dry summer weather test our supply."

Customers can expect to receive a blend of Bull Run waterand Columbia South Shore Well Field water. It can take up to two weeks, depending on location, for the blended water to make its way through the distribution system to homes and businesses.

"Portland's two high-quality drinking water sources help create a resilient water system," Acting Director Campbell added. "Each time you pay your bill, you're making an investment that makes it possible to deliver safe, clean water every day. Thank you."

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 rain that falls 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 maintenance operation and when we return to 100 percent Bull Run water. Sensitive water users can sign up onlineto be directly notified by the Portland Water Bureau.

Customers with questions should call the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.