This month, the Portland City Council approved an estimated $1,885,610 in repairs and upgrades to the Columbia South Shore Well Field. This emergency ordnance will pay Orr Inc. to service two wells in Portland’s critical secondary water source and remain on standby to repair one of two others. Although Bull Run watershed-sourced water serves Portland ratepayers most of the year, the below-ground supply has become increasingly crucial as dry summers and wildfires create a need for a backup water source.
In late August 2023, Production Well 6 failed during the beginning of summertime use, requiring the rehabilitation and replacement of its pump and motor. Similarly, Production Wells 13 and 19 recently suffered mechanical failures, and Portland Water Bureau wants to obtain a spare pump and motor to have ready if a complete pump system replacement is needed. These two wells are the City’s highest-producing groundwater source, representing approximately 22% of the Water Bureau’s well-based capacity. Over the last two years, operators have observed declining performance from Production Well 16’s submersible pump motor. That unit is likely to fail soon and needs servicing or replacement.
The Portland Water Bureau does not maintain a State of Oregon Well Constructor’s License nor possess the equipment to perform the work, requiring Orr’s expertise on this project. This work must occur before the summer water demand requires the activation of the groundwater supply as it has for the last several years. The Water Bureau will pay for this emergency work by replanning existing groundwater system improvement projects or by tapping into contingency funds. These repairs will ensure Portlanders have uninterrupted access to water, even in harsh seasonal conditions.
Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.