About FlashAlert on Twitter:
FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Portland Water Bureau by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.
Click here to add Portland Water Bureau to your Twitter account or create one.
@portlandwater
Dry weather and above average temperatures prompt the need to augment the Bull Run supply
Starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 10th, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field into the distribution system.
Due to the predominantly dry weather, warm temperatures, and available long-term weather forecasts, the Portland Water Bureau will use groundwater to augment water from the Bull Run Watershed—Portland’s primary water source.
“Portland’s two high-quality drinking water sources help create a resilient water system,” Interim Director Edward Campbell said. “Careful planning and maintenance ensure that groundwater is here to fully meet our regional water needs.”
Customers can expect to receive a blend of Bull Run water and 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.
“We rely on our customers’ investments to pay for the infrastructure that makes it possible to deliver drinking water whenever we need it,” Director Campbell added. “When customers pay their bills, they’re making an investment that makes it possible to deliver safe, clean water every day.”
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 operation and when we return to 100 percent Bull Run water. Sensitive water users can sign up online to be directly notified by the Portland Water Bureau.
Customers with questions should call the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.
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.