Portland Transitions To Primary Water Source, The Bull Run Watershed (Photo) - 10/22/25
Secondary groundwater source provided supplemental water supply during a dry summer
The Portland Water Bureau has returned to providing 100% Bull Run water to Portlanders. Since July 22nd, the Portland Water Bureau has been supplementing the Bull Run supply by blending our secondary water source, groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field, with the Bull Run supply to meet customers’ needs through the dry summer.
It can take up to two weeks after a transition like this for customers to receive 100 percent Bull Run water at their taps, depending on the location.
Careful management of the groundwater system allowed us to provide clean, safe drinking water to the region despite this year’s unseasonably dry summer weather.
“Keeping our water clean and safe during longer dry seasons means taking care of the systems that deliver it,” said Portland Water Bureau Director Quisha Light. “We’re investing in maintenance and improvements today so our community can count on reliable water no matter the weather.”
Water system investments matter
Our ability to reliably provide clean, safe water for future generations depends on sustaining investments in our water system. Ratepayer funding makes it possible for the bureau to tap two sources of clean, reliable water to adapt to a changing environment.
Portland Water is planning a new filtration facility and pipelines to keep our water safe and abundant for the nearly one million people who depend on it today and for future generations.
“You fund this critical work every time you pay your water bill,” Light said. “Each payment is an investment in our community’s ability to maintain our resilient water system.”
Working for Water Around the Clock
It takes more than 600 highly skilled employees operating and maintaining $25 billion worth of infrastructure like pipes, pumps, tanks and reservoirs to get the water to your tap.
“Getting water to pour from a faucet seems simple,” said Director of Operations Kimberly Gupta. “But it takes the hard work of engineers, construction crews, customer service staff, certified operators and more to continually deliver safe water.”
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.
Access and accommodations
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
