Tag: Water Bureau

Community, Infrastructure

Groundwater Blended into Bull Run Supply

Update: On November 6th, the Portland Water Bureau returned to providing 100% Bull Run sourced water to Portlanders. It can take up to two weeks before the blended water works its way through the systems after a transition, depending on location.

Article originally published on October 9th, 2024

On Thursday, October 10th, 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 primarily due to prolonged dry conditions, warm temperatures, and limited precipitation in weather forecasts. This blending comes two months after a summertime test of well-field equipment.

In past years, around this time, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending its two water sources to ensure adequate supplies until rainwater replenishes the watershed. In some years, this occurs sooner as dry springs and early summer weather can reduce Bull Run’s supply. The October 2023 to April 2024 water year had near-average rainfall and a suitable mountain snowpack that has kept Portland’s watershed supplied for a significant portion of the dry season. However, warmer weather patterns and increased water usage have made well-water sources necessary for the regional water supply. The Water Bureau recently tested its groundwater system for 20 days to ensure pumps, treatment equipment, electronic controls, and other parts were ready for activation.

Columbia South Shore Well Field. Courtesy Portland Water Bureau

Columbia South Shore Well Fields tap into deep aquifers filled with rainwater throughout the year. The Bureau assures residents that Portland’s groundwater supply meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. However, the Bureau’s policy is to notify the public when activating groundwater sources so sensitive water users can take precautions. It can take up to two weeks before residents receive blended water. After operators revert to entirely Bull Run-sourced water, customers can expect it to take another two weeks for the lines to clear of groundwater.

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.

by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Infrastructure

An Earlier Addition of Groundwater

Update: On August 20th, the Portland Water Bureau returned to providing 100 percent Bull Run water to Portlanders.

On Thursday, August 1st, Portland Water Bureau added groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field to the city’s Bull Run sourced drinking water. Officials are making this change to test well equipment ahead of a possible seasonal shortfall in the watershed supply. This blending comes nearly a month earlier than last year, and the Bureau says it will update the public through the media and email when the system returns to 100 percent Bull Run water.

In past years, the Portland Water Bureau blended water sources due to dry springs and early summer weather. The October 2023 to April 2024 water year had near-average rainfall and a suitable mountain snowpack that should keep Portland’s watershed supplied for a significant portion of the dry season. However, warmer weather patterns and increased water usage have made well-water sources necessary for the regional water supply. This groundwater system test is required to ensure pumps, treatment equipment, electronic controls, and other parts are in working order.

Columbia South Shore Well Field. Courtesy Portland Water Bureau

Columbia South Shore Well Fields tap into deep aquifers filled with rainwater throughout the year. The Bureau assures residents that Portland’s groundwater supply meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. However, the Bureau’s policy is to notify the public when activating groundwater sources so sensitive water users can take precautions. It can take up to two weeks before residents receive blended water. After operators revert to entirely Bull Run-sourced water, customers can expect it to take another two weeks for the lines to clear of groundwater.

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.

Correction: This article was updated to clarify that Portland is not currently experiencing a Bull Run sourced water shortfall.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Infrastructure

Damaged Wells Require Expedited Repair

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.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Infrastructure

Rainfall Returns Portland to Bull Run Water

This week, the Portland Water Bureau returned the city to 100-percent Bull Run sourced water. Since August 24th, Portlanders have consumed blended water partially supplied by groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. In recent years, the utility operator repeatedly activated its secondary groundwater supply to supplement or replace Bull Run drinking water. Dryer conditions in the region have reduced above-ground sources during the warmer months, and extreme weather events cloud the supply by depositing extra organic material into the waterways.

Portland’s groundwater system provides safe drinking water to the region even as the changing climate and expanded demand stress the city’s supply. Without it, this year’s dry spring and extended summer weather could have required rationing efforts or other costly alternatives. This year’s Camp Creek wildfire near the Bull Run watershed further illustrated the need for a protected secondary water system. Despite this fire’s growth to within 1.3 miles of Reservoir 1, Portlanders were never at risk of losing access to drinkable water. The wildfire ultimately did not damage the watershed, and the Bull Run supply remains safe for another year.

It can take up to two weeks for ratepayers to receive 100 percent Bull Run water as the system switches over from the 60 percent groundwater mixture. Portlanders pay for these water security investments through their water bill. The Columbia South Shore Well Field is an example of planning that has paid off in water system resiliency. The Portland Water Bureau is now planning a new filtration facility to maximize the availability of Bull Run sourced water and ensure that the water source remains healthy to use even when some natural contaminants enter the system.

Depending on rainfall and snowpack in 2024, the Portland Water Bureau may need to switch the water system back to using groundwater again. That source is safe for most people and exceeds standards for drinking water. However, 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.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Infrastructure

Early Summer Forces Groundwater Use

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.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Infrastructure

Portland Returns to 100 percent Bull Run Water

Portland’s Water Bureau returned to using water sourced exclusively from the Bull Run watershed last week after switching to the backup groundwater system on November 5th. That change addressed contamination concerns after a massive rain event washed extra organic material into the supply. In October, the utility operators began blending water from the Columbia South Shore Well Field with the City’s Bull Run water supply. Mixing sources became necessary after an unseasonably dry Fall caused reservoir levels to dip excessively.

The Water Bureau’s investment in the redundant groundwater system provided Portlander’s safe drinking water despite two extreme weather events. System operators activated the alternative water supply three times this year. Before the two most recent uses due to weather, staff tapped into the Columbia South Shore water supply last August for annual testing of well and pump equipment.

The early November storms flushed nearly seven billion gallons of water into the Bull Run Reservoirs within 24 hours. That intense water flow picked up a significant amount of organic material as it traveled to the watershed, creating a cloudy mixture in the water referred to as turbidity. Elevated turbidity makes water treatment less effective, and it takes time for the suspended material to settle. 

As the Bull Run water moves into the system, people may notice a slight tea-like color in the water. Water Bureau staff say this discoloration is harmless and should clear as the reservoirs refill with new rainfall. The recently reactivated Bull Run water will take up to two weeks to travel to all users, depending on location. Contact the Portland Water Bureau if you have concerns about water quality by emailing wbwaterline@portlandoregon.gov or calling 503-823-7525.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Infrastructure

Heavy Rainfall Forces Switch to 100% Groundwater

Update November 29th, 2022: Portland Returns to 100 percent Bull Run Water

Friday’s massive rain event increased the output of streams feeding the Bull Run watershed, contributing to a rapid increase in extra organic material suspended in the water. As a precaution, the Portland Water Bureau has switched entirely to groundwater sourced from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. Last month, officials began blending Portland’s two water sources to compensate for low Bull Run water levels caused by dryer-than-normal weather. Now, excess precipitation has caused a complete dependence on underground water sources.

Almost a million people depend on water supplied by the Portland Water Bureau. Long-term investments have added well-water sources to the City’s water supply, creating greater resiliency to weather-related events. As the climate trends towards hotter and dryer patterns, groundwater reserves will become essential to water delivery. However, this investment is also valuable during storm conditions that push silt, debris, or other contaminants into the water system. The new Bull Run filtration facility should reduce the need to switch to groundwater after storms when it comes online in 2027. It will also remove disease-causing microorganisms that sometimes threaten drinking water safety.

The Portland Water Bureau assures residents that Columbia South Shore Well Field water 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. Ratepayers 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.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Infrastructure

Well Water Mixed into Bull Run Supply

Update November 29th, 2022: Portland Returns to 100 percent Bull Run Water

After an unseasonably dry Fall, the Portland Water Bureau began blending water from the Columbia South Shore Well Field with the City’s Bull Run water supply. Although rain has returned to the region and some snowfall has accumulated on the mountain, managers of the water distribution system made the decision to supplement approximately 65 percent of groundwater into the watershed-sourced supply. This change occurred on October 13th and will take up to two weeks to reach all homes and businesses.

The Portland Water Bureau assures residents that Columbia South Shore Well Field water 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. Portland’s water supply serves almost a million people in the area, utilizing 53 tanks and reservoirs to store water for summer use. As the weather system trends towards hotter and dryer patterns, the Bureau’s investment in groundwater reserves will become an increasing resource in 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.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.