Gresham’s future groundwater system is designed to withstand emergencies

One of the benefits of Gresham drilling its own groundwater system, in a looming break with the Portland Water Bureau and Bull Run Reservoir, is a focus on creating a system that will be resilient during earthquakes, severe weather, climate change and other emergencies.

The Cascade Groundwater Alliance, a partnership between the city of Gresham and Rockwood People’s Utility District, remains on track to complete the new water system by 2026.

“Emergency preparedness is a top priority for the new system,” said Mike Whiteley, water public works manager.

The pipelines and reservoirs are being designed to withstand earthquakes and other emergencies, the city said.

“This will help restore water service quickly after an emergency so the community can recover faster,” Whiteley added.

Gresham’s new groundwater system will tap the Sand and Gravel Aquifer, which lies beneath the surface of East Multnomah County. The project reduces reliance on a single water source, like the Bull Run, which is more susceptible during disasters. The break also ducks the price hikes planned by Portland to fund the new multi-million filtration plant to deal with cryptosporidium, which was required by federal rules to protect the surface water from microbial pathogens like cryptosporidium.

That filtration facility, with a price tag between $850 million and $1.2 billion, is planned to be finished by September 2027. The expectation is any new deals with Portland would include significant price increases to cover those costs.

The transition to groundwater will, on paper, limit the burden felt by Gresham residents.

Learn more about the project online at greshamoregon.gov/cascade-groundwater-alliance