Portland’s 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report Shows Top Marks - 06/01/26

The Portland Water Bureau continues to deliver clean and safe drinking water that meets or surpasses drinking water standards to nearly a million customers, according to our annual water quality report. And here’s how we know: In addition to continuous water quality monitoring at key locations, our water quality lab conducted almost 40,000 tests in 2025 to track more than 200 potential contaminants. Tests are conducted throughout the system, all the way from the source to people’s taps.

Every year, the Portland Water Bureau issues the Drinking Water Quality Report to explain what’s in your drinking water and what we do to keep it safe and flowing to your tap.

"This report is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a testament to our commitment to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water,” said Director of Public Utilities Dr. Ting Lu. “I am grateful for our dedicated professionals who work around the clock to manage and maintain our system.”

Read the online report to:

• Learn about your drinking water and our work to keep it safe
• Get answers to common drinking water quality questions
• Learn how the Bull Run Filtration Project will keep our drinking water safe into the future

How to read the report

As early as Tuesday, June 2, Portlanders will receive a flyer in the mail with an easy-to-scan QR code and web address that will take them to the full Portland Water Bureau 2026 Drinking Water Quality Report on the City of Portland website.

The report is accessible for people who use screen readers and is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Chinese. You can request a paper copy online or by phone at 503-823-9444. To request translations in additional languages or accommodations for people with disabilities, call 503-823-7525 (Relay: 711). Interpretation services available.

Public health is our top priority

Portland’s drinking water is safe today and for generations to come. This starts at our two high-quality sources, which are the two largest drinking water sources in the state: the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field. Water Bureau staff treat the water and test it from many locations around our water system, including our water sources, our treatment facilities, and around town.

This report includes test results for all known health-related contaminants detected in 2025. If a known health-related contaminant is not listed in this report, it was not detected in our drinking water. We are proud to share that this includes PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have not been detected in our drinking water.

The report also makes it easy for you to get updates on our excellent water sources, wise water system investments, and your drinking water.

Questions? Email WBWaterLine@portlandoregon.gov.

Investing to maintain public health and reliable service

We are building a new filtration facility to protect public health and comply with federal and state drinking water regulations. When complete, the Bull Run filtration facility will remove Cryptosporidium, sediment, and organic matter, while also reducing disinfection byproducts and ensuring our water system remains resilient against earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. A project this size takes multiple years to build, which is why crews are working six days a week to have these water system improvements in place by September 2029.

“The Bull Run Filtration Project is a transformative investment in public health and long-term resilience for generations to come,” said Director Lu. “We remain fully committed to moving forward with the highest levels of accountability and transparency to finish this project strong. I encourage everyone to check out our ongoing construction status and reach out if you have any questions.”

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost one million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

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Water Leak Investigation Requires Eastbound Closure Of Powell Blvd (Hwy 26) In Gresham Area (Photo) - 05/26/26

Eastbound traffic on Powell Blvd is closed to vehicle traffic at Powell Loop but drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.

GRESHAM, OR – Today, Tuesday, May 26, the Portland Water Bureau in coordination with the City of Gresham have closed eastbound traffic on Powell Boulevard (Highway 26) between Powell Loop (east of SE 182^nd/Highland) and Eastman Parkway.

The closure will allow crews to assess and repair an underground water leak on Powell Blvd at SW Birdsdale Ave. Drivers should expect delays, use recommended detours, and use caution when traveling around the work zone.

Crews are working to determine the cause of the leak and necessary repairs. Traffic impacts are expected to continue through the evening commute and overnight. The extent of the work cannot be determined until excavation is complete. Updates will be shared as they are available.

Traffic closure and detour details
 

The work zone is at Powell Blvd and Birdsdale, but drivers are encouraged to avoid the area completely by detouring north of Powell to Division St using SE 182^nd Ave (eastbound traffic) or Eastman Parkway (westbound traffic).
 

Local/residential traffic guidance

• Westbound traffic on Powell Blvd has been restricted to one lane between Eastman Parkway and 182^nd Ave/Highland Drive. Drivers should expect delays in the area.
• The work zone at the intersection of Powell and Birdsdale is currently a four-way stop with limited access to Powell.
  • Traffic headed south on Birdsdale to Powell Blvd may only turn right (heading west)
  • Traffic headed north on Birdsdale to Powell Blvd may only turn right (heading eastbound).

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to about 900,000 people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

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Cryptosporidium Monitoring Update: Detections From Routine Monitoring In The Bull Run. Customers Do Not Need To Take Any Additional Precautions At This Time. - 05/15/26

Since 2017, the Portland Water Bureau has detected low levels of Cryptosporidium from routine monitoring of source water. The Portland Water Bureau received results from ongoing monitoring from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. In the 50 liters sampled each day from May 10 to May 13, 2026, one Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in the sample collected on May 10. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the samples collected on May 11, May 12 or May 13. Prior to this detection, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run drinking water source on April 27, 2026.

The Bull Run watershed is Portland’s primary source of drinking water. The Portland Water Bureau does not currently treat for Cryptosporidium, but is required to do so under drinking water regulations. Portland is working to install filtration by September 30, 2029 under a compliance schedule with the Oregon Health Authority. In the meantime, Portland Water Bureau is implementing interim measures such as watershed protection and additional monitoring to protect public health. Consultation with public health officials has concluded that at this time, customers do not need to take any additional precautions.

Exposure to Cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis, a serious illness. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. People with healthy immune systems recover without medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include those with AIDS, those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system, and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.

The Environmental Protection Agency advises that customers who are immunocompromised and receive their drinking water from the Bull Run Watershed consult with their healthcare professional about the safety of drinking the tap water. The Portland Water Bureau and Burlington, City of Sandy, City of Tualatin, Green Valley, GNR, Hideaway Hills, Lake Grove, Lorna Domestic Water, Lusted, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Skyview Acres, Tualatin Valley, Two Rivers, Valley View and West Slope Water Districts receive all or part of their drinking water supply from Bull Run. To learn if your drinking water comes from Bull Run, please contact your local drinking water provider.

The public and the media are encouraged to view all sampling results posted to the City’s website at portland.gov/water/CryptoResults. The bureau will notify the media and public immediately should further test results indicate a risk to public health and precautions are necessary.

Customers with questions regarding water quality can call the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost 900,000 people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

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UPDATE: Portland Water Bureau Returns To Primary Water Source, The Bull Run Watershed: The Bull Run Supply Was Temporarily Augmented With Groundwater To Ensure Ample Supply During Conduit Repair. - 05/08/26

For more information, contact PWB Communications Manager Felicia Heaton, 971-940-8933.

Today, the Portland Water Bureau is returning to 100 percent Bull Run water. A leak on a supply conduit in the Bull Run Watershed required us to supplement the Bull Run supply with groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. The conduit has been repaired and returned to service, enabling us to fully return to serving water from the Bull Run.

Water Operations Director Kimberly Gupta praised the crews who rapidly responded to identify the cause of the leak and repair it in less than 36 hours.

“They do this kind of work year-around in the middle of the forest, in the middle of the street, in the middle of the night. Next time you reach for a glass of Portland water, make sure to toast the crews who rapidly respond to keep our system running strong.”

It can take up to two weeks for customers to receive 100 percent Bull Run water at their taps, depending on their location.

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

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to approximately 900,000 people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With nearly 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

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Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas

Portland Water Bureau Activates Groundwater System: Groundwater Will Be Used To Ensure Ample Supply Of Drinking Water During Conduit Repair. - 05/06/26

For more information, contact PWB Communications Manager Felicia Heaton, 971-940-8933.

Today, the Portland Water Bureau discovered a leak on one of the supply conduits that delivers water from the Bull Run supply to Portland. As a result, the Portland Water Bureau is activating the Columbia South Shore Well Field to supplement the Bull Run supply with groundwater so the conduit can be safely taken off-line and repaired.

No action is needed by the public. The community's water supply remains safe to drink. 

Portland Public Utilities Director Dr. Ting Lu noted that the Columbia South Shore Well Field is performing exactly as intended: acting as a reliable backup to meet our community's drinking water needs.

“Our water system is designed for resilience,” said Director Lu. “Having two high-quality drinking water sources, the Bull Run Watershed and our groundwater system, ensures we can respond rapidly to maintain a safe, reliable water supply for our community.”

Operations Manager Kimberly Gupta expressed gratitude to the dedicated Water Bureau staff who respond around the clock to keep the water system working.

"Getting water to flow from a faucet seems simple, but it takes the hard work of engineers, construction crews, customer service staff, certified operators and more to continually deliver safe water."

About the Columbia South Shore Well Field

The Columbia South Shore Well Field is a robust secondary drinking water source that supplements our Bull Run supply. It can be used to augment water from the Bull Run during hot, dry summers and can be served when Bull Run water is unavailable for other reasons, such as a storm, flood, fire or unexpected impacts to infrastructure. Together, our two water sources improve the reliability of our water system and ensure that we can deliver excellent water every minute of every day.

Groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water quality standards. The well field produces high-quality drinking water from protected aquifers deep below the ground.

Depending on a household's location, it can take up to two weeks for the groundwater blend to move through the distribution system and reach all customers’ taps. The Water Bureau will operate the groundwater system until repairs on the supply conduit are complete. and will notify the public when the system returns to 100 percent Bull Run water.

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

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to approximately 900,000 people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With nearly 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

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Street Closes To Prevent Further Vehicle Damage To The Thompson Elk Fountain After Minor Truck Collision (Photo) - 05/04/26

Southwest Main Street closed to driving traffic between Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest 4th Avenue

PORTLAND, OR – Beginning Monday, May 4, crews with the Portland Water Bureau are closing Southwest Main Street between Southwest 3rd and 4th avenues. The closure will allow crews to assess minor damage to the Thompson Elk Fountain that was caused by a vehicle collision last week.

A truck trailer struck the corner of the fountain basin’s south trough on April 27. Stone was chipped and surface oil staining occurred where the trailer collided. The fountain remains structurally intact and sound.

The City is advising drivers to avoid the area. Southwest Main Street between 3rd and 4th avenues will temporarily close beginning today. Drivers should use caution while driving in the area. Keep your distance from crews and slow down when traveling through work zones. The bike lane along Southwest Main Street will remain open during the repair.

Travelers can stay informed by visiting portland.gov/water/thompsonelk.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipe. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, parks and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Parks & Recreation, and the Portland Water Bureau. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-4000 (311), Relay Service & TTY: 711, or 503-823-8064. Visit Portland Water Bureau’s Disability and Language Access page for more information.

503-823-4000 Translation and Interpretation 

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

口笔译服务 |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad

Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas