Water Supply Switched To Groundwater Due To Rain-driven Turbidity (Photo) - 12/19/25
New filtration facility will reduce impacts of storm runoff in the future
Heavy rains have caused a rapid increase in turbidity (organic material suspended in the water) in the Bull Run Watershed. Due to this increased turbidity, the Portland Water Bureau has temporarily turned off the Bull Run water supply and is serving 100 percent groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field.
No action is needed by the public. The community’s water supply remains safe to drink. The Columbia South Shore Well Field is doing what it was designed to do: meeting our community’s drinking water needs while complying with safe drinking water regulations.
Operations Manager Kimberly Gupta said the transition from Bull Run water to 100 percent groundwater went smoothly. She credits ratepayers’ ongoing investments in Portland’s two water sources and the dedication of the Water Bureau staff who keep the water system working.
"Getting water to flow from a faucet seems simple," Gupta said. "But it takes the hard work of engineers, construction crews, customer service staff, certified operators and more to continually deliver safe water."
Portland Water Bureau Interim Director Quisha Light said groundwater is a powerful tool in planning for extreme weather.
“We constantly monitor water quality and plan ahead for the weather’s impact on our water supply,” said Light. “This careful planning ensures we’re ready to meet our region’s water needs now and into the future.”
The new Bull Run filtration facility will be another powerful tool in addressing the potential water quality impacts of extreme weather events. The filtration facility will be able to remove sediment, organic material and other contaminants from our water—enabling the Water Bureau to reliably serve Bull Run water after an event like an extreme storm. It will also remove disease-causing microorganisms from our water to make it even safer.
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 natural disaster. 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 groundwater to move through the distribution system and replace Bull Run water at the tap. The Water Bureau will operate the groundwater system as long as weather conditions and water quality dictate. The Water Bureau will issue a notification when the system returns to 100 percent Bull Run water.
Learn more about our groundwater at portland.gov/groundwater.Customers with questions should contact the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.
Bull Run Treatment Projects
The Bull Run Filtration Project will reduce the impact of turbidity events and remove Cryptosporidium and other potential contaminants from the Bull Run supply, producing cleaner, safer water for the nearly one million people who use our water today and for future generations. The project is required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and a compliance agreement with the Oregon Health Authority. Visit portland.gov/filtration for more information.
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 over 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
