On Thursday, August 24th, Portland Water Bureau will add groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field to the city’s Bull Run sourced drinking water. Officials are making this change to account for a shortfall in the watershed supply due to a dry spring followed by an early start to summer weather. With long-term forecasts indicating dryer conditions, groundwater use will continue until the rainy fall season replenishes Bull Run.
Last October, the Water Bureau made a similar switch that lasted until the end of November 2023. Over the next two weeks, customers can expect the blended water to replace their current 100 percent Bull Run supply. People will receive 60 percent of groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field, similar to last year. The wells tap into deep aquifers filled throughout the year by rainwater. The Bureau assures residents that Portland’s groundwater supply meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. However, they make it a policy to notify the public when activating groundwater sources so sensitive water users can take precautions. As regional weather trends towards hotter and dryer patterns, the Bureau’s investment in groundwater reserves will become an increasing resource for water delivery.
Sensitive water users can sign up at the Portland Water Bureau’s website to receive notifications regarding changes to the water system. Customers with questions should call the Water Line at 503-823-7525 and watch for updates to this article when Portland’s water system returns to 100 percent Bull Run watershed-sourced water.
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