July 1, 2015

This summer has already been a scorcher!

With this heat wave and dry conditions, many areas of Oregon are facing a drought. 

We are very fortunate here in Portland – we have an abundant water supply, thanks to our visionary Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field! 

The Bull Run Watershed is our primary source of water. It’s located in the Sandy River Basin, in the Mt. Hood National Forest.  The Bull Run water supply comes from spring rain, rather than snowpack – and Mt. Hood had a rainy spring. The two Bull Run dams hold a total of 19 billion gallons of water.

The Columbia South Shore Well Field is our secondary water source. It is groundwater found in underground aquifers. The Well Field is capable of producing nearly 100 million gallons of quality water per day. 

During the hot summer months, or during winter storms, water from the Well Field is sometimes blended with water from the Bull Run.

The Portland Water Bureau also occasionally blends water when they are hard at work with maintenance. By doing routine operations, the bureau ensures that our water system is reliable and able to meet seasonal supply demands. 

Portland has some of the best drinking water in the world. Among the Bull Run and the Well Field, we have billions of gallons of quality drinking water. Our impressive water system serves nearly a quarter of our state’s population. 

Visit the Portland Water Bureau’s website for more information.