main_break_oct_5_pipe.jpg

For immediate release

October 6, 2024 (Portland, Ore.) – A large main break that caused discolored water in Northwest Portland and parts of Southwest Portland on Saturday, Oct.5 has been repaired and water quality is returning to normal around the system. 

Portland Water Bureau Director Edward Campbell asked Portlanders to join him in expressing deep gratitude to the crews that worked valiantly to repair the main and restore water quality. 

“What Maintenance & Construction crews pulled off in 16 hours is simply remarkable,” said Campbell. “They performed a large construction project and fully restored water service in less than a day.”

Campbell said the bureau’s Operations team was also critical to the response. 

“It’s no small feat to restore water quality in a large system after a disruption like this. Behind the scenes, our Operations team was controlling the flow or water through our system to minimize impacts of the break, and flushing pipes to move fresh water into the system. Our Water Control Center was responding to hundreds of calls from the public while supporting crews in the field.”

Director Campbell also expressed gratitude to the Portlanders impacted by the changes in water quality.

“We know that a disruption like this can be hugely impactful to our small businesses who rely on fresh water to offer their services,” he said. “We grateful to all Portlanders for their patience as we responded to this large break.”

About the break

The break was first reported around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and Portland Water Bureau crews were immediately dispatched to N.W. 29^th/31^st Ave. just off Yeon. Upon arrival, crews saw water ankle-deep in the area surrounding the break. They worked quickly to stop the water flow and begin the process of excavating to reveal the break.

They were presented with some big challenges: 

• Before they could begin, crews had to remove four dump trucks full of silty soils that had surfaced due to the water flowing from the large pipe (16 inches). 
• A power pole was right in the middle of the excavation area. Crews had to work with PGE to determine the safest course of action for crews and to reduce further disruption to utilities in the area. Standard utility locates were performed before work began. 
• After breaking ground, crews discovered the root system of a tree near the break had been compromised and was impeding the work. Arborists from Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry were dispatched and determined the tree would need to be removed for everyone’s safety.
• Finally, around 8:30 p.m., all obstacles were removed, and crews continued digging, revealing the broken pipe: The 16-inch cast iron pipe installed in 1949 experienced a large horizontal break. (See photo.) The entire section of pipe would have to be replaced. 
• Shoring was installed around the work zone to prevent cave-ins and protect workers. Crews worked into the early morning, completing the repair to the main and closing the street around 1 a.m. They restored water service to the 15 impacted properties by 3 a.m. Sunday. 
• Crews will return to the area to perform additional cleanup and paving. The paving schedule will be determined later this week.
• What caused the break? Hard to say. It’s difficult to determine the cause of most main breaks. The cause of this main break has not been identified. Several factors could have contributed including construction work in the area or other external forces weakening the main. Age isn’t always a factor: The bureau has similar pipes in the system that date by to 1895 that are still performing well.

Visit this page for more information on how we repair main breaks.

Water Quality

The main break changed the flow of water in a very large pipe, which can have a ripple effect through other pipes in the system. The change in water flow and water pressure disrupts organic sediment that accumulates in the bottom of water pipes. In this case, Portlanders around the northwest quarter of the city and parts of Southwest Portland experience varied discoloration of water. The water is treated and the organic sediment in the pipe is not harmful to health. However, discolored water is not the quality of water we prefer to serve. Water quality is greatly improved in most areas. 

If you are still experiencing discolored water, you may use a water filter to improve water quality. You may also choose to drink water from your emergency water supply or use bottled water. People who are continuing to experience discolored water on Monday may contact our Water Quality Line, 503-823-7525 or email WBWaterLine@portlandoregon.gov. Hours of operation at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Here are tips on what to do if you’re experiencing discolored water.

A precautionary boil water notice was issued to 15 properties that were out of water service. People at those properties will be notified directly when the notice is lifted, likely by Monday morning. 

While crews were responding to the scene of the main break, flushing crews from the bureau’s Operations group were dispatched to do strategic flushing of the water system. They increased water flow to move fresh, clear water through the system as quickly as possible. By early evening on Saturday, calls to our dispatch center had declined significantly and Portlanders informed us that they were seeing improvement.

The only other solution to discolored water is time. Portland has more than 2,500 miles of water pipe in the system, and it takes hours (sometimes days, depending on the severity of the incident) to move the fresh water in and push the discolored water out. It takes longer for water to move through large buildings and there are some areas of the system that will take longer to clear, simply due to their location on the system map. 

Emergency water supply

A limited water service disruption or a discolored water event is an important reminder that main breaks can happen at any time without warning. Our partners, the Regional Water Providers Consortium offer guidance in multiple languages on how to build an emergency water supply. 

Traffic

There are no traffic disruptions at this time. 

Property damage

If your property experienced damage that you believe was related to this break, you may file a claim with City of Portland Risk Management, 503-823-5101.