Dry weather prompts Portland Water Bureau to tap groundwater supply

The Portland Water Bureau will start blending groundwater from the Columbia South Shore Well Field into the distribution system on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The groundwater will supplement water from the Bull Run Watershed, the primary source of water for Portland and much of the rest of the region. According to the bureau, the additional water is needed predominantly because of the dry weather, warm temperatures, and limited rain in the long-term weather forecasts that are predicted to strain the Bull Run supply.

According to KOIN 6 News, rainfall typically increases across the Pacific Northwest in October. That has not yet happened this year. Portland’s average rainfall for the month should be close to 3.42 inches. But so far, the Rose City has only seen 0.31 inches. That means Portland has fallen behind by more than a quarter-inch of rain, with a lack of snowfall over the Cascades as well.

“Portland’s two high-quality drinking water sources help create a resilient water system. Careful planning and maintenance ensure that groundwater is here to fully meet our regional water needs,” said in the Wednesday, Oct. 9 announcement.

The bureau said customers can expect to receive a blend of Bull Run water and Columbia South Shore Well Field water within two weeks, depending on their location.

“We rely on our customers’ investments to pay for the infrastructure that makes it possible to deliver drinking water whenever we need it. When customers pay their bills, they’re making an investment that makes it possible to deliver safe, clean water every day,” Campbell said.

The Columbia South Shore Well Field is a high-quality water supply that meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations. The well field is supplied by deep aquifers that store rain that falls in the Portland Basin.

The bureau informs the media and sensitive water users when it activates the groundwater supply or make significant operational changes. It will issue another notification when the supply returns to 100% Bull Run water.

More information is available about the groundwater supply can be found on the bureau’s website, portland.gov/water.com, where sensitive water users can sign up online to be notified of changes, at Customers with questions should call the Water Quality Line at 503-823-7525.

KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Portland Tribune and contributed to this story. Their full story can be found at koin.com .