Portland Water Bureau
Portland Water Bureau works to serve drinking water to over 1,000,000 Oregonians, about one fourth of Oregon's population. The bureau's and retail and wholesale service area is about 225 square miles. The current retail service area is about 143.3 square miles. In 2009-2010, Portland Water Bureau served water to more than 164,000 households and 20,000 commercial and industrial consumers.
How does the bureau manage this? The Bull Run Water System captures and stores rainfall, snowfall, and fog drip in rainy seasons (which is like, all year) to provide consumers with plenty of fresh water during the summer months (pretty much non-existent). Portland also has a second significant water source called Columbia South Shore Well Field, however, the groundwater is our second biggest water source after Bull Run.
The water supply Portland maintains is fit to last through all summer weather conditions, including the rare case in which we might actually experience a real summer, which would be extraordinary itself. The water bureau takes into account things like water supplies, weather predictions, past and present water demand, the impacts of regional conservation programs, public health protection, native fish protection, and water quality in order for water to be drinkable and healthy.
About 650 people are employed at Portland Water Bureau, who work both in outside and in offices.
Contact
Customer Service: (503) 823-7770
- For information on Portland's water, sewer, and storm water management account.
Water Line: (503) 823-7525
- For questions about water quality or pressure.
Water Bureau Security: (503) 823-6084
- To report a security issue associated with Water Bureau property.
Emergency Line: (503) 823-4874
Portland Water Bureau's website knowledgeably states to "please call 9-1-1 for emergencies."