Large water main break repaired in Northwest Portland

A large water main break that caused discolored water in Northwest Portland and parts of Southwest Portland on Saturday, Oct. 5, was repaired in about a day.

The Portland water Bureau announced repairs were completed and water quality is returning to normal around the system on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Portland Water Bureau Director Edward Campbell praised the crews that did the repairs.

“What Maintenance & Construction crews pulled off in 16 hours is simply remarkable. They performed a large construction project and fully restored water service in less than a day,” Campbell said.

According to the bureau, the break in the 16-inch diameter cast iron pipe was first reported around 9:30 a.m. Saturday crews were immediately dispatched to the area of Northwest 29th and 31st avenues just off Yeon Street. When they arrived, the crews saw water ankle-deep in the area surrounding the break. They worked quickly to stop the water flow and begin the process of excavating to reveal the break.

The bureau said the crews were presented with the following big challenges:

Before they could begin, crews had to remove four dump trucks full of silty soils that had surfaced due to the water flowing from the pipe.A power pole was right in the middle of the excavation area. Crews had to work with PGE to determine the safest course of action for crews and to reduce further disruption to utilities in the area. Standard utility locates were performed before work began.After breaking ground, crews discovered the root system of a tree near the break had been compromised and was impeding the work. Arborists from Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry were dispatched and determined the tree would need to be removed for everyone’s safety.Finally, around 8:30 p.m., all obstacles were removed, and crews continued digging, revealing the pipe installed in 1949 experienced a large horizontal break. The entire section of pipe would have to be replaced.Shoring was installed around the work zone to prevent cave-ins and protect workers. Crews worked into the early morning, completing the repair to the main and closing the street around 1 a.m. Sunday. They restored water service to the 15 impacted properties by 3 a.m.

Crews will return to the area to perform additional cleanup and paving. The paving schedule will be determined later this week.

The cause of the break has not been determined. The bureau said several factors could have contributed, including construction work in the area or other external forces weakening the main. Age isn’t always a reason The bureau has similar pipes in the system that date by to 1895 that are still performing well.

According to the bureau, the main break changed the flow of water in a very large pipe, which can have a ripple effect through other pipes in the system. The change in water flow and water pressure disrupts organic sediment that accumulates in the bottom of water pipes. In this case, Portlanders around the northwest quarter of the city and parts of Southwest Portland experience varied discoloration of water. The water is treated and the organic sediment in the pipe is not harmful to health, although people may choose to drink from other sources until it clears.

Campbell said the bureau’s Operations team was also critical to the response.

“It’s no small feat to restore water quality in a large system after a disruption like this. Behind the scenes, our Operations team was controlling the flow or water through our system to minimize impacts of the break, and flushing pipes to move fresh water into the system. Our Water Control Center was responding to hundreds of calls from the public while supporting crews in the field.”

Director Campbell also expressed gratitude to the Portlanders impacted by the changes in water quality for their patience.

“We know that a disruption like this can be hugely impactful to our small businesses who rely on fresh water to offer their services. We grateful to all Portlanders for their patience as we responded to this large break,” Campbell said.

More information on water main break repairs in available on the Portland Water Bureau's website .