2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon

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2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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.
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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)
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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.
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 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
2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report 2 - City of Portland, Oregon
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