2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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Drinking water sources 2 P O R T L A N D WAT E R B U R E AU 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report Water quality FAQs 4 Bull Run Filtration Lead and improved corrosion Project updates 11 Test results 6 control treatment 8
Portland’s Water System Most of Portland’s Established 1895 Sa drinking water nd comes from Bull Run Watershed yR iver the Bull Run mbia R iver Colu Watershed, Water Quality Lab Columbia South Bull Run Lake 26 miles east Water Bureau Drinking water Reservoir & of downtown Thousands employees collect Shore Well Field flows by gravity Dam 1 Wel Portland. of hydrants and test more l Fi e l d P r o te c t i o n from Bull Run safeguard Area Pumps pull groundwater than 11,000 water to Portland. Reservoir & the city. from the aquifers of the Dam 2 samples each year. Columbia South Shore Kelly Butte Well Field. Headworks re a Underground Treatment Bull Run Watershed Closure A Mt. Hood Reservoir Facility Lusted Hill Treatment Treatment Facility operators add Sand y Rive Washington r Park Reservoir Treatment operators add chlorine to control Will microorganisms, ame ammonia to form a longer- Downtown Portland Powell Butte such as bacteria or Portland’s drinking water system delivers water from two high-quality sources— tte lasting disinfectant. They Underground Rive also add sodium carbonate viruses, that could the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field—to almost Reservoirs r More than 2,200 miles of water mains make people sick. and carbon dioxide to reduce one million people in Portland and surrounding communities. carry water beneath the city’s streets. To Washington County corrosion of metals. Reservoirs and tanks store water for everyday use, plus firefighting and emergency needs. Portland’s drinking water sources Planning for a hotter climate The Bull Run Watershed, Portland’s protected surface The Columbia South Shore Well Field, For over 100 years, Portland residents have enjoyed Portland Water Bureau water supply, is in the Mount Hood National Forest, 26 miles Portland’s protected groundwater supply, safe and abundant drinking water at their taps. The Climate Commitments from Portland. The Portland Water Bureau and the US Forest provides drinking water from 25 active wells next 100 years will require us to adapt to a changing Service carefully manage the watershed to sustain and supply located in three different aquifers. The well field climate. clean drinking water. In a typical year, the watershed receives an is between Portland International Airport and Reduce The real and present heat waves, wildfires, and 50 astounding 135 inches of precipitation (rain and snow), which Blue Lake Park. Portland uses the well field for two Portland Water droughts in our region have made it clear that our flows into the Bull Run River and then into two reservoirs that purposes: to supplement the Bull Run supply in Bureau carbon store nearly 10 billion gallons of drinking water. the summer, and to temporarily replace the Bull climate is heating up rapidly and we are experiencing the impacts here and now. % emissions 50 Run supply during turbidity events, maintenance percent by 2030. Source water assessments are completed to identify activities, and emergencies. For over two decades, the Portland Water Bureau has contaminants of concern for drinking water. For the Bull Run, been evaluating climate change impacts to Portland’s the only contaminants of concern are naturally occurring The Columbia South Shore Well Field is beneath water supplies. We are actively planning for a hotter microorganisms, such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, fecal coliform homes and businesses with a variety of potential Purchase at climate that will make disruptions to the water system 80 bacteria, and total coliform bacteria. The Portland Water Bureau contaminant sources. The deep aquifers that are least 80 percent and extreme events more common. regularly tests Bull Run water for these microorganisms that live in virtually all freshwater ecosystems. the primary sources of water supply have natural geologic protection from pollutants present at In 2021, Portland Water Bureau’s director established % direct renewable energy by 2030. the land surface. Portland, Gresham, and Fairview three climate commitments to reduce the bureau’s The Portland Water Bureau treats drinking water to control work together to protect the well field. The cities’ impact on climate change. We are also investing in our organisms that would make people sick but does not currently Groundwater Protection Programs work with water system to be more resilient and reliable, taking treat for Cryptosporidium. Portland is installing filtration to residents and businesses in the well field to ensure steps to protect our outdoor workforce during extreme Integrate remove Cryptosporidium and other contaminants from drinking that pollutants from this urban area do not impact heat and wildfire smoke events, and reducing impacts meaningful water by 2027. Learn more on pages 10 and 11. the groundwater source. on community members who are hit first and worst by climate analysis 2022 climate change. into our project Portland’s source water assessment is available at More information about groundwater protection planning by the portland.gov/water/resources/source-water-assessment and groundwater education events: More information: portland.gov/water/climate end of 2022. or by calling 503-823-7525. portland.gov/water/groundwater The Clackamas River Water District, City of Gresham, City of Lake Oswego, City of Milwaukie, Rockwood Water People’s Utility District, Sunrise Water Authority, and Tualatin Valley Water District provide drinking water to some Portland customers who Get email updates when we make changes to our source water or treatment. 2 live near service area boundaries. Customers who receive water from these providers will receive detailed water quality Sign up at portland.gov/water/notification. 3 reports about these sources in addition to this report.
Frequently asked questions about water quality Controlling for Legionella is a shared responsibility What test results will I find in this report? Is Portland’s water soft or hard? Legionella, the bacteria that causes The Portland Water Bureau monitors drinking water Bull Run water—Portland’s main water supply—is very Legionnaires’ disease, is found across the Steps managers of large buildings for over 200 regulated and unregulated contaminants. soft. It typically has a total hardness of 3–8 parts per country in natural freshwater bodies and should take to maintain water quality This report lists all of the regulated contaminants the million (ppm), or ¼ to ½ a grain of hardness per gallon. in building plumbing and cooling systems. bureau detected in drinking water in 2021. If a known Portland’s groundwater supply is moderately hard: about 80 ppm, or about 5 grains per gallon. The Portland Water Bureau treats drinking 1 health-related contaminant is not listed in this report, water to control Legionella and protect public Run water at the Portland Water Bureau did not detect it in health. However, if water quality in buildings least weekly. drinking water. What is the pH of Portland’s water? is not maintained properly, Legionella bacteria The pH of Portland’s drinking water typically ranges can grow in buildings and make people sick. How is Portland’s drinking water treated? between 7.8 and 8.5. 2 Currently, Portland’s drinking water treatment is a three- The risk of getting sick from Legionella is low. Maintain hot water 140° step process: 1) Chlorine disinfects against organisms, How can I get my water tested? Large buildings that have complex plumbing at or above 140° F. such as bacteria and viruses, that could otherwise make For free lead-in-water testing, contact the LeadLine systems are at a greater risk to Legionella at leadline.org or 503-988-4000. For other testing, growth. Managers of large buildings should 140° people sick. 2) Ammonia stabilizes chlorine to form a you can pay a private, accredited laboratory to test take steps to maintain water quality in their 3 Make sure your longer-lasting disinfectant. 3) Sodium carbonate and your tap water. For information about accredited building. More information: plumbing 140° is carbon dioxide replaced sodium hydroxide in 2022 labs, contact the Oregon Health Authority at portland.gov/water/WQBuilding working properly. to further reduce the corrosion of metals such as lead. ORELAP.Info@state.or.us or 503-693-4100. Portland’s treatment is changing more in the coming In 2021, the Portland Water Bureau began decade. Learn more starting on page 9. What causes temporarily discolored water? testing for Legionella throughout the city. In 4 Maintain building Sediment and organic material from the Bull Run collaboration with our public health partners, water treatment Is Portland’s water safe from viruses such as the we voluntarily began testing our drinking systems. Watershed settle at the bottom of water mains. These COVID-19 virus? water for Legionella. Legionella has not been can sometimes be stirred up during hydrant use or Yes, your water is safe from viruses and safe to drink. Portland a main break. They can also be seen in the fall as a detected in this routine testing. 5 Follow CDC Water controls microorganisms, including viruses, with chlorine. harmless tea-colored tint. Discolored water can also be CDC More information: Management Plan caused by older pipes in buildings that add rust to the Is Portland’s water filtered? portland.gov/water/legionella recommendations. water. More information: No. Neither of Portland’s sources is filtered. In response to portland.gov/water/DiscoloredWater a series of low-level detections of Cryptosporidium in Bull Run water in 2017, Portland is installing a filtration plant to How should property managers maintain treat for Cryptosporidium. Bull Run water will be filtered by water quality in large buildings? 2027. Learn more on pages 10 and 11. Managers of large buildings should implement a What the EPA says can be found in drinking water water management program to protect their water Does the Portland Water Bureau add fluoride quality and address the risk of Legionella growth. This Across the United States, the sources of drinking Contaminants in drinking water sources may include to the water? is especially important during the pandemic and as water (both tap water and bottled water) include microbial contaminants, such as viruses, bacteria, and No. Fluoride naturally occurs in Portland’s water at very buildings reopen. More information: rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, protozoa from wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such low levels. You may want to ask your dentist or doctor portland.gov/water/WQBuilding and wells. As water travels over the surface of the as naturally occurring salts and metals; pesticides and about supplemental fluoride for preventing tooth decay. land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally herbicides, which may come from farming, urban stormwater This is especially important for young children. occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive runoff, or home and business use; organic chemical material, and can pick up substances resulting from contaminants, such as byproducts from industrial processes the presence of animals or from human activity. or the result of chlorine combining with naturally occurring P O R T L A N D WAT E R B U R E A U CUSTOMER GUIDE TO Discolored water? organic matter; and radioactive contaminants, such as Water Quality and Pressure Low flow? In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, naturally occurring radon. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has YOUR GUIDE TO: Other water quality concerns? regulations that limit the amount of certain Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably • The basics of water quality contaminants in water provided by public be expected to contain at least small amounts of some and pressure. Start here for troubleshooting tips: • Troubleshooting common water quality and pressure concerns. • Plumbing and water heater maintenance tips. water systems and require monitoring for these contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not • Lead in home plumbing and how to reduce your exposure. portland.gov/water/WQLine • Water filters, backflow prevention, emergency water storage, and water efficiency tips. contaminants. Food and Drug Administration necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More regulations establish limits for contaminants information about contaminants and potential health effects Our Water Quality Line staff are also happy to assist you: in bottled water, which must provide the same can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water WBWaterLine@PortlandOregon.gov protection for public health. Hotline at 800-426-4791 or at epa.gov/SafeWater. 1 503-823-7525 4 5
Contaminants detected in 2021 Definitions Detected in Portland’s water EPA standard MCL: maximum contaminant level N/A: not applicable Regulated contaminant Sources of contaminant The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking Some contaminants do not have a health-based level or goal defined by Minimum Maximum MCL or TT MCLG water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the the EPA, or the MCL or MCLG does not apply to that result. best available treatment technology. Untreated source water NTU: nephelometric turbidity unit MCLG: maximum contaminant level goal A unit for measuring the turbidity, or cloudiness, of a water sample. Turbidity (NTU) 0.18 2.81 5 N/A Erosion of natural deposits The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow ppm: parts per million Fecal coliform bacteria Not detected 0% 10% N/A Animal wastes for a margin of safety. Water providers use ppm to describe a small amount of a substance within (% >20 colonies/100 mL in 6 months) the water. In terms of time, one part per million is about 32 seconds out of Giardia (#/L) Not detected 0.08 TT N/A Animal wastes MRDL: maximum residual disinfectant level one year. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. Treated drinking water ppb: parts per billion There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is Water providers use ppb to describe a very small amount of a substance Metals and nutrients at the entry point necessary for control of microbial contaminants. within the water. In terms of time, one part per billion is about 3 seconds Arsenic (ppb)
Reducing exposure to lead Improved corrosion control treatment What to know about lead What you can do The Portland Water Bureau cares about the health of the When your water has been sitting for several hours, families in our community and is committed to helping such as overnight or while you are away at work Improved treatment started this spring you reduce your exposure to lead. If present, lead at or school, you can minimize the potential for lead elevated levels can cause serious health problems, exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 In April 2022, Portland began implementing our improved corrosion control especially for pregnant people and young children. minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. treatment to reduce the levels of lead in drinking water for everyone. The Infants and children who drink water containing lead in If you are concerned about lead in your drinking new treatment system, built at our existing Lusted Hill treatment facility, adds excess of the action level could experience delays in their water, you can request a free lead-in-water test from two naturally occurring substances, sodium carbonate (soda ash) and carbon physical or mental development. Children could show the LeadLine (leadline.org or 503-988-4000). dioxide, to our drinking water. These adjust the alkalinity to about 25 mg/L and slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Information on lead in drinking water, testing increase the pH to at least 8.5. We are proud to bring this improved treatment Adults who drink this water over many years could methods, and steps you can take to minimize online and better support the health of our community. develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. exposure is available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water How we got here Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and Hotline: 800-426-4791 or epa.gov/SafeWater/lead. After detecting elevated levels of lead in higher risk homes in 2013, we components associated with service lines and home Additional steps to reduce exposure looked for additional ways to reduce lead that can enter the water from home plumbing. The Portland Water Bureau is responsible for or building plumbing. We determined that improving our drinking water providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control to lead from plumbing treatment is the most effective way to reduce lead levels. In 2016, we agreed the variety of materials used in plumbing components • Run your water to flush the lead out with the Oregon Health Authority to install improved treatment and began in homes or buildings. Lead is rarely found in Portland’s construction in 2020. We found elevated levels of lead in these higher risk source waters and there are no known lead service lines • Use cold, fresh water for cooking, drinking, and homes again in fall 2021, highlighting the need for improved treatment to in the water system. In Portland, lead enters drinking preparing baby formula protect public health. The improved corrosion control treatment facility began water from the corrosion (wearing away) of household treating our drinking water in April 2022. plumbing materials containing lead. These materials • Do not boil water to remove lead include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe— Progress in reducing lead levels at the tap commonly used in homes built or plumbed between • Test your child’s blood for lead Our team has been working to ramp up improved treatment to full operation. Two naturally occurring substances, 1970 and 1985—and brass components and faucets • Test your water for lead sodium carbonate (soda ash) and We are making treatment changes in steps to allow our drinking water system installed before 2014. carbon dioxide, are added to water in • Consider using a filter certified to remove lead to adjust to the changes in water chemistry. Throughout these changes, the our upgraded treatment system. In Portland, the most common sources of lead exposure treatment team is collecting water samples from around the city to track how are lead-based paint, household dust, soil, and plumbing • Clean your faucet aerators every few months the improved treatment is affecting lead levels. These results are helping us materials. Lead is also found in other household objects monitor the changes to the system and determine the correct treatment to such as toys, cosmetics, pottery, and antique furniture. • Consider replacing pre-2014 faucets or fixtures reduce lead levels as much as possible. Lead and copper testing results from homes with higher risk of lead in water The Portland Water Bureau offers free lead-in-water tests to anyone in the service area. Twice each year, the Portland Water Bureau also collects water samples from a group of over 100 homes that have lead solder and are more likely to have higher levels of lead in water. Testing results from fall 2021 showed that more than 10 percent of these homes had elevated levels of lead. Because these results exceeded the action level for lead, the Portland Water Bureau informed customers about the lead results. We also completed construction and brought improved corrosion treatment online to reduce lead levels at the tap. See page 9 for more information. Detected in residential water taps EPA standard Regulated Homes exceeding Sources of contaminants contaminant Fall 2021 results1 Action level2 MCLG3 action level2 Lead (ppb)3 21.0 14 out of 104 (13.5%) 15 0 Corrosion of household and commercial building Copper (ppm)3 0.238 0 out of 104 (0%) 1.3 1.3 plumbing systems 90th Percentile: 90 percent of the sample results were less than the values shown. More information: portland.gov/BullRunProjects 1 2 Action level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or requirements of which a water system must follow. 3 See page 7 for definitions. 8 9
Monitoring for Cryptosporidium Filtration treatment by 2027 Cryptosporidium is a potentially disease-causing and could lead to serious life-threatening illness. microorganism that lives in virtually all freshwater Examples of people with weakened immune systems ecosystems. Drinking water treatment for Cryptosporidium include those with AIDS, those with inherited is required by state and federal regulations. For five years, diseases that affect the immune system, and cancer Project team hits important halfway milestone the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) did not require the and transplant patients who are taking certain Since 2017, a team of Portland Water Bureau and consultant Portland Water Bureau to treat for Cryptosporidium based immunosuppressive drugs. engineers have been working to plan for and design the new on data showing that Cryptosporidium was rarely found water filtration facility. In 2020, the project team submitted in the Bull Run Watershed. Since 2017, test results have The Environmental Protection Agency has two years of testing data confirming the best way to filter our shown low-level detections of Cryptosporidium primarily estimated that a small percentage of the population water. They achieved a significant milestone this past year during the rainy season. As a result, OHA determined that could experience gastrointestinal illness from when they received OHA’s approval to design the filtration treatment is now necessary. The Portland Water Bureau Cryptosporidium and advises that customers who facility using the preferred treatment approach. does not currently treat for Cryptosporidium, but is required are immunocompromised and receive their drinking to do so under drinking water regulations. Portland is water from the Bull Run Watershed consult with their Testing drinking water treatment options working to install filtration by 2027 under a compliance health care professional about the safety of drinking the tap water. The project team relied on science to help make sure the schedule with OHA. In the meantime, the Portland filtration process at the full-scale facility is designed for our Water Bureau is implementing interim measures such as unique Bull Run water. To do this, they used a mini-filtration watershed protection and additional monitoring to protect facility to test how different treatment options work through public health. Consultation with public health officials 2021 results of Cryptosporidium monitoring seasonal changes to our water. The testing ensures that continues to conclude that the general public does not at the raw water intake treatment at the future water filtration facility will meet our need to take any additional precautions. public heath goals, including removing Cryptosporidium Concentration detected Exposure to Cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis, Number of samples from our drinking water. (oocysts/L) a serious illness. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, Total Positive for What’s next fever, and stomach pain. People with healthy immune Minimum Maximum systems recover without medical treatment. According tested Cryptosporidium The project is now at its halfway point and on track to begin to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delivering filtered Bull Run water in 2027. The final design of people with severely weakened immune systems are at risk 200 33 Not detected 0.12 the filtration facility will be complete by the end of 2022 and for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe construction is anticipated to begin in 2023. More information: portland.gov/water/crypto Special notice for immunocompromised persons Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly people, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are More information: portland.gov/BullRunProjects available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. 10 11
1120 SW Fifth Avenue • Suite 405 Portland, Oregon 97204 Mingus Mapps, Commissioner-in-Charge Gabriel Solmer, Director Questions? We’re here to help. Central information Water quality and pressure For general information about projects, For questions regarding water quality or water pressure. programs, and public meetings. 503-823-7525 503-823-7404 WBWaterLine@PortlandOregon.gov Billing and financial assistance Water system emergencies For questions or information about your account For reporting street leaks and water service problems. or to apply for financial assistance. 503-823-4874 503-823-7770 24 hours a day, 7 days a week PWBCustomerService@PortlandOregon.gov portland.gov/water PortlandWaterBureau @PortlandWater Additional drinking water information Regional Water Providers Consortium Oregon Health Authority The Portland Water Bureau is a member of the Drinking Water Services: 971-673-0405 Regional Water Providers Consortium. This public.health.oregon.gov/ year, the Consortium and its members are HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater celebrating 25 years of service. Find out more about the Consortium and its work in water Portland Water Bureau’s Water System ID: 4100657 conservation, emergency preparedness, and regional coordination at regionalh2o.org. This report and past reports are available at the website below. Please contact us for translation, interpretation, or accommodations for people with disabilities. Para obtener una copia del informe de calidad del agua potable en español, o para alguna adaptación para personas con discapacidades, comuníquese con: Здесь можно получить копию отчёта о качестве воды на русском языке или в услугах для людей с ограниченными возможностями: Để có bản sao báo cáo chất lượng nước uống này bằng tiếng Việt, hoặc nhận hỗ trợ cho người tàn tật, vui lòng liên lạc: 欲索取此饮用水报告的中文版本﹐或残疾人士所需的便利设施﹐请联系: Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | 口笔译服务 | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या | Устный и письменный перевод Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas Translation and Interpretation: portland.gov/WaterQualityReport • 503-823-7525 (Relay Service: 711) Printed on recycled paper 06/2022
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