PORTLAND, OR– The Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division Drinking Water Program (OHA) today denied the Portland Water Bureau’s request for an adjustment to its regulatory schedule to replace the uncovered drinking water reservoirs at Mt.Tabor and Washington parks. The decision by OHA means that Portland’s existing regulatory schedule to end the use of the uncovered reservoirs by December 31, 2020 remains in effect. Portland had requested an extension of that schedule to the year 2026.

 

“We are very disappointed in this decision,” said Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff. “We made a case to the state that was very similar to the one made by New York City in successfully extending its reservoir compliance schedule. Oregon is clearly choosing a very different approach for administering federal drinking water rules.”

 

 

The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2), issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006 requires that all uncovered finished drinking

water reservoirs in the United States either be covered or have treatment facilities installed at the outlets. In March 2009 Portland entered into a compliance schedule with EPA to end the use of its uncovered reservoirs by the year 2020. When the State of Oregon took primacy for the rule in July 2009, the Oregon Health Authority assumed enforcement responsibilities for the compliance schedule.

 

Portland submitted a detailed request for an extension to its uncovered reservoir compliance schedule in February 2012 based largely on the challenges of successfully managing the several large design and construction projects that would be necessary to complete the work by 2020. Similar arguments about the sequencing of large projects were cited by New York City when it succeeded in its request for an extension to its own reservoir compliance schedule in 2009.

 

To view the February 10, 2012 Portland Water Bureau deferral request, click here.

 

To view the May 17, 2012 letter from OHA denying deferral request, click here.

 

Terry Black

Public Outreach

Citing the need for more time due to difficult working conditions, the contractor for the Portland Water Bureau will continue work in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway at SW Market Street until Friday, May 18. The work could be completed sooner.

 

Work hours are 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and the signals will be turned off at SW Market and Naito. Flaggers will be used to get vehichles, bicycles and pedestrians through. Expect delays. The signals will be turned with flaggers.

 

With a smaller work zone, fewer traffic lanes will be closed and the signal lights will be on. Flaggers and traffic cones will help move motorists past the site. Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid delays.

 

This work is part of the second phase of the Portland Water Bureau's Westside Header Project to replace an aging supply pipeline that is critical to the city’s water system.

 

For more information, contact Terry Black, Public Outreach, 503-823-1168 or 503-823-8978

Citing the need for more time due to difficult working conditions, the contractor for the Portland Water Bureau will continue work in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway at SW Market Street until Friday, May 18. The work could be completed sooner.

 

Work hours will be from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, after morning and before evening rush hours.

 

With a smaller work zone, fewer traffic lanes will be closed and the signal lights will be on. Flaggers and traffic cones will help move motorists past the site. Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid delays.

 

This work is part of the second phase of the Portland Water Bureau's Westside Header Project to replace an aging supply pipeline that is critical to the city’s water system.

 

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, 503-823-6926 or 503-381-0056

Progress on the city’s new 50-million gallon drinking water reservoir at Powell Butte Nature Park remains steady.  Today, work crews – under contractor SSC Construction – began pouring concrete in the first two 40 foot x 40 foot sections that will make up the reservoir’s floor.  A total of 209 sections with a depth of 2.5 feet in a web of rebar will be set before work on the reservoir walls, pillars and finally ceiling are get underway.

 

 

Previously, for the past two months, workers have been preparing the reservoir’s foundation; installing an under drain piping system, mechanical and conduit vaults, and smoothing the gravel base for the five-acre water storage facility.  Work also continues on the public-required park improvement facilities: the Maintenance Building, permanent Caretaker’s House, and the Interpretive Center that will includes a classroom and restrooms. Specialized crews are also working on improving park trails.

 

Powell Butte Nature Park remains open  to the public, but the main parking lot is closed while work in underway in that location. Temporary parking lots have been established at: (1) Rose Bowling Center, SE 164^th Ave. at SE Powell Blvd.; (2) Gates Property, SE Holgate Blvd. at SE 136^th Ave.; and (3) Vivian Pump Station, 14424 SE Center St. at SE 144^th Ave.  

 

Tim Hall Public Outreach

 

Weekend water work moves to SW Market Street at Naito Parkway

  

Portland,OR– On Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, the Portland Water Bureau’s work on SW Naito Parkway will move to the intersection of SW Market Streetnear downtown Portland. If necessary, the contractor’s crews will work on Monday, May 14 at the same location.  

 

This work -- part of the second phase of the Portland Water Bureau's Westside Header Project -- is necessary to connect the new pipeline to an existing supply pipe that feeds theWashingtonParkreservoirs.   

 

Weekend work hours will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Any work on Monday would be done from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to accommodate rush hour traffic.

 

Several traffic lanes in both directions will be closed and the signal light will be disconnected. Flaggers and traffic cones will direct motorists through the work zone. Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid possible long delays.

 

On Tuesday, May 15, and if necessary, Wednesday, May 16, working at night, crews will repave the road surfaces damaged by the pipe work. Crews will work from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

 

The second phase of the pipeline project is slated for completion in June 2012.

 

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, at 503-381-0056

There’s good news for Portlanders looking for some relief from the anticipated warm weather this weekend. 

 

 

All six interactive fountains maintained by the Portland Water Bureau are in full operating mode:  McCoy, Salmon St. Springs, Jamison Square, Naito Legacy, Holladay Park, and Teachers.  For more information on these fountains including their locations,  see the fountain walking tour brochure at http://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=26426&a=225489

 

Please remember to obey fountain rules to ensure your safety:

• Look but don't drink! The water flowing in decorative fountains is not for drinking. To conserve water, most of these fountains recycle water. The water is chlorinated to a level comparable with swimming pools.
• Be safe! Although people enjoy splashing around in the interactive fountains, there are potential dangers for unattended children.
• Please use caution at all fountains. Slippery surfaces, rapidly moving water, and pools of water require careful attention.

Terry Black

Public Outreach

 

You see fire hydrants all over town, at least every 500 feet. Yet, most people don’t give them much thought unless there’s a blazing fire nearby.

 

Hydrants are typically reserved for the fire bureau to tap, but the Portland Water Bureau also issues temporary and annual permits to contractors/developers in need of on-site water. There are actually many hydrant uses: mixing cement, landscaping, pressure washing, drilling. There are also many community events that require our hydrants, like Art In the Pearl, Sand in the City, The Portland Marathon, and Portland’s many beer festivals.

 

Just a few years ago permit applicants were required to head downtown to submit applications and the cross the river to Interstate’s Meter Shop to be issued equipment. These permits were previously processed among all other permits by our Development Services staff. In 2008, in an effort to streamline the process, the bureau moved the Hydrant Permit Program to Interstate and dedicated a staff member to oversee the process. 

 

Since Jack Finders became the bureau’s “hydrant guy,” he’s processed an average of 162 temporary permits and 42 annual permits over the past four years. Since Jack moved the program across the river to Interstate in 2008, he’s brought in $1 million in hydrant permit fees.Permit holders are encouraged to pay by credit card now, which cuts down on financial red tape. We’ve also increased the non-compliance fee from $1260 to $5,000 (after a single warning), which has reduced the number of infractions.

 

Beyond financial and process improvements, having a point person to coordinate the hydrant permits has helped reduce the number of dirty water calls. We used to have a lot more calls due to improper hydrant use, especially on small mains. Jack works to educate hydrant users about how to properly hook up a hydrant and use equipment properly. He examines hydrants in advance of issuing the permit to make sure it will work for the given use. He reminds people that our primary goal is compliance, in order to protect the water system. He checks in on permit holders about once a week, and although he is very friendly, permit holders know he means business.

 

What can you do to help protect Portland’s fire hydrants? If you see anything suspicious, please call Dispatch immediately: 503-823-4874. Report the hydrant location, business name (if possible), and license plate number. They’ll forward the information to Jack, and he’ll track them down.

 

Check the webpage for more details about proper/improper hydrant use:

www.portlandonline.com/water/hydrants

 

Darcy Cronin

Community Involvement and Information

A contractor for the Portland Water Bureau must take one to two more days - Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2 - to work in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway at SW Clay Street. The crews are making a difficult connection to an existing water supply pipeline.

 

Work hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to accommodate rush hour traffic.

 

Several traffic lanes will be closed and the signal light will be disconnected. Flaggers and traffic cones will direct motorists around the work zone. Motorists should expect delays. Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid this work zone.

 

This work is part of the second phase of the Portland Water Bureau's Westside Header Project to replace an aging supply pipeline that is critical to the city’s water system. More construction is scheduled in the intersection of SW Naito Parkway and SW Market Street from May 12 through May 14, 2012.

 

The second phase of the pipeline project is slated for completion in June 2012. 

 

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, at 503-823-6926, or 503-381-0056.

Yesterday was the 19^th Annual Children’s Clean Water Festival, and as always, the kids had a blast learning about water.

 

The Portland Water Bureau is one of many sponsors for the event, and our staff led classroom sessions to teach about protecting groundwater, engineering pipes, and understanding the water cycle.

 

Here’s a local news story about this annual event that brings fourth and fifth graders together to learn in a fun-filled hands-on event:

 

KGW Video: Kids' Water Festival Makes a Splash

 

I’ve volunteered as a classroom guide for several years, and always enjoy seeing the kids get excited about water. I always learn new something myself, and I loved watching the entertaining and educational Snail People. Mo Phillips was also fantastic, as always.

 

Darcy Cronin

Community Involvement and Information

The  brass bowl from the Benson Bubbler located at the Vera Katz statue on the Eastbank Esplanade has been stolen. The Portland Water Bureau regrets the inconvenience to bikers and walkers this weekend. Please contact the Portland Water Security at (503) 823-6084 or the Portland Police Bureau at (503) 823-3333  with any information that may lead to its recovery. Thank you. 

 

Tim Hall

(503) 823-8064

Citing the need for more time due to difficult conditions, the contractor for the Portland Water Bureau will continue work in the intersections of SW Naito Parkway at SW Clay Street on Friday, April 20, and possibly Saturday, April 21, 2012.   

 

Work hours on Friday will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, after morning and before evening rush hours. If necessary, the work on Saturday will take place from 9:00 AM until it is completed, likely before 5:00 PM.

 

Several traffic lanes will be closed and signal lights will be disconnected. Flaggers and traffic cones will direct motorists around the work zone. Motorists should expect delays. Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid this work zone.

 

This work is part of the second phase of the Portland Water Bureau's Westside Header Project to replace an aging supply pipeline that is critical to the city’s water system.

 

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, 503-823-6926 or 503-381-0056

The Portland Water Bureau reports that repair work on a 24-inch diameter water main that ruptured yesterday (April 18) on SE Stark Street near SE 55th Avenue will continue today. The type of damage to the 106-year old cast iron pipe was beyond routine repairs. Crews will have to temporarily reduce the flow of water to the area for about four to eight hours. Affected residents were notified.  

 

East bound traffic will again be detoured one block to SE Morrison Street, up SE 58th Avenue and back to SE Stark Street. Crews expect the pipe repairs to be completed later today. Permanent street repaving work will occur when there are dry weather conditions.

 

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, 503-823-8064

The Portland Water Bureau reports a main break at SE Stark St. at SE 55th Ave. Crews have responded to make repairs. East bound traffic will detour one block to SE Morrison St. up SE 58th Ave. and back to Stark St.

 

It is unknown at this time, known how long the repair work of the 24" cast iron pipe will take.

  

For more information, contact Tim Hall, Public Outreach, 503-823-8064

It’s finally spring time, and this is a friendly reminder to make sure your water meter is kept clear.

 

Every three months our meter readers stop by your place to read your water meter. Yet, often times they encounter obstacles, mostly in the form of overgrown vegetation.

 

If your meter isn’t cleared, you’ll receive a friendly reminder in mail. If it continues to be inaccessible, you may be charged $80, if our staff needs to return to re-read or if we need to hire someone to remove the obstruction.

 

I have to admit to receiving such a friendly letter…we had moved to a new home, where the lush vegetation creeps over the meter every few months. We now try to be thoughtful, and make sure it’s kept clear.

 

Our meter readers have a hard enough job; they don’t need to deal with extra obstacles.

 

Here are a few other typical issues:

• Garbage & recycling bins parked on top
• Bark dust/mulch covering the meter
• Paving – yes, meters get paved over!

The following photos demonstrate the do’s and don’t of keeping your meter clear.

 

Darcy Cronin

Community Involvement and Information

Don't let your meter become overgrown:

Do check your water meter periodically to make sure it's still clear: