Located at NW Couch and 8th Avenue in the North Park Blocks, the Couch Loo will be dedicated next Tuesday, January 31st at 1 p.m. Commissioner Randy Leonard and project staff will be joined by children and faculty from the nearby Emerson School for the "first flush." 

The new Portland Loo location was chosen to accommodate the needs in this high foot-traffic area of town for tourists and locals visiting Powell's Books, and conveniently located between the MAX/bus lines and the streetcar. This Loo also replaces a problem-plagued bathroom that was recently closed at SW Ankeny and 8th Avenue. This particular installation was accomplished in collaboration with the Portland Parks and Recreation, the Portland Bureau of Transportation and The Emerson School.

Each Portland Loo includes artwork on the door, most of them local photography. Yet, the Couch Loo is adorned with vibrant drawings of flowers by the students at Emerson...it is really quite beautiful.

Designed and fabricated locally, the Portland Loo is attractive, functional, open 24 hours a day and more affordable than any other permanent toilet structure. All the Portland Loos are cleaned and maintained semi-daily by Central City Concern staff. The City actually has a patent on the design, and cities from across the country have been interested in purchasing them, and last fall a Loo was purchased by the City of Victoria in BC Canada. For more information, visit www.portlandloo.com and visit a Portland Loo for yourself!

Anne Hill
Project Management Analyst

 

Starting tonight, the contractor for the Portland Water Bureau will begin work one hour earlier at 8:00 PM on SW Naito Parkway, near downtown. Work will cease at 6:00 AM to accommodate the daily commute on the heavily used roadway.

 

Work days on SW Naito Parkway will be Monday night through Friday morning for the next four to five weeks. Construction is currently at SW Market Street and will proceed southbound to SW Caruthers Street.

 

Flaggers and traffic cones will direct motorists around the rolling work zone. Some lane closures and delays should be expected. 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 that will install a new 5,000-foot, 36-inch diameter steel water main to replace an existing critical but aging supply pipeline. Construction work on SW Naito Parkway began in September 2011. The entire project is estimated to be completed by late spring 2012. 

 

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

Portland Water Bureau shifts water supply from Bull Run to Columbia South Shore Groundwater system due to high turbidity event

 

Today the Portland Water Bureau is turning off theBull Runwater supply system and activating the supply system from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. Recent heavy rains and increased stream flows have contributed to a rapid increase in turbidity, or suspended sediments, in the Bull Run system. The Bull Run water supply is not filtered.

 

"We are blessed to have two high quality sources of water available to us," said Portland Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff. "When Mother Nature hits us hard, it's tremendously comforting to know that we can turn to our Columbia South Shore Well Field when theBull Run system is shut down due to turbidity. It is extremely rare to have a backup system such as Portland's and it is one of the primary reasons we have been able to retain the Bull Run as an unfiltered source."

 

It will take about 24 to 60 hours, depending on a customer’s location, for groundwater to move through the distribution system. Users will experience water quality beginning with the water quality of 100% Bull Run and shifting to 100% groundwater as the water moves through the distribution system. The Columbia South Shore Well Field provides a high quality water supply for Portland Water Bureau customers, which meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water regulations.

 

The bureau will operate the groundwater system as long as weather conditions and water quality dictate. Notification will be distributed when the well field is shutdown and the system returns to 100% Bull Run water.

 

Customers with questions can call the Water Line at (503) 823-7525.

Traffic Advisory

 

For Immediate Release

January 9, 2012

 

Water main break on West Burnside at 44^th Avenue; traffic delays anticipated

  

Portland, OR  --  A crew from the Portland Water Bureau (PWB) is responding to a water main break on West Burnside at West 44^th Avenue. The break of an 8-inch diameter cast iron pipe has not ruptured the street, but water is seeping through cracks in the pavement.

 

The PWB repair work requires that one east bound lane be closed around the work zone. Traffic will be channeled into two west bound lanes for about 6 to 8 hours. 

 

Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid this work zone.

Yesterday, the Portland Water Bureau (PWB) received preliminary laboratory results indicating the presence of Cryptosporidium in water samples from the Bull Run source collected on December 30, 2011. The lab results show that one Cryptosporidium oocyst was present in a sample collected at the raw water intake. A second oocyst was present in a sample collected from a location further upstream. Follow-up lab results received today from samples taken at the raw water intake on January 1^st, 2012 and January 3^rd, 2012 showed no further evidence of Cryptosporidium.

 

PWB has informed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Multnomah County Health Department of the preliminary lab results and neither agency has indicated a concern regarding any public health effects. No special precautions are necessary for Portland’s drinking water customers.

 

In the midst of a high volume sampling program, it is not unexpected that a small number of Cryptosporidium organisms would occasionally be found in untreated surface water. Wildlife is present in the watershed and can be a source of Cryptosporidium. Detections of Cryptosporidium in water from the Bull Run, however, are rare.

 

Today’s results are the first to indicate the presence of Cryptosporidium at the Bull Run raw water intake since 2002. Since the last detection of Cryptosporidium, PWB has collected over 725 samples totaling over 19,269 liters without finding it. PWB is now conducting increased monitoring at the raw water intake according to the terms identified in the Interim Sampling Plan which has been in effect since December 2010.     

 

PWB is arranging for additional analysis of the positive sample including DNA testing which may provide genotype information which could help PWB better understand and characterize the significance of this detection and indicate the possible animal source.

 

PWB will continue to implement the interim monitoring plan as it awaits a final decision from OHA regarding a potential variance to the treatment requirements of the federal Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). OHA has indicated that it intends to issue a final decision on the variance by the end of this month. Based on the comprehensive information and monitoring data compiled and transmitted by PWB in its variance request, we do not believe these isolated detections which have prompted no public health concerns affect the City’s underlying case for a variance.

 

PWB will continue to closely track and report Bull Run water quality monitoring results as we seek to understand and provide additional information about this rare, but not extraordinary event.

 

David G. Shaff, Administrator

Portland Water Bureau

 

January 5, 2012

 

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

 

UPDATE:  Traffic signal on SW Naito Parkway at SW Clay Street remains out of service

  

Portland, OR  --  The traffic signal on SW Naito Parkway at the intersection of SW Market Street has been restored to full operation.  However, crews from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) are still working on the signal at the intersection of SW Clay Street.  PBOT anticipates this signal to be operational by 6:00 pm today.  Early this morning, a construction crew working for the Portland Water Bureau accidentally cut through a power line to the signals.

 

At SW Clay Street, traffic and pedestrian crossings are being controlled by six flaggers. The two southbound lanes on SW Naito Parkway are open. Traffic heading northbound is channeled into one lane through the construction zone. 

 

Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes to avoid delays.

 

The Portland Water Bureau is installing a 36-inch diameter steel water supply pipeline on SW Naito Parkway, from SW Clay Street to SW Caruthers Street. The night work -- 9:00 pm to 6:00 am -- on SW Naito will take several weeks to complete.

 

                                                                        # # #

January 5, 2012

 

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

 

Traffic signals out of service on SW Naito Parkway

at intersections of SW Clay and SW Market Streets

  

Portland, OR  --  The traffic signals on SW Naito Parkway at the intersections of SW Clay Street and SW Market Street are not operating this morning. Early this morning, a construction crew working for the Portland Water Bureau cut through an unmarked power line to the signals.

 

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) quickly dispatched a repair crew and was able to set the signal at SW Clay to flash 4-ways at the intersection. The crew was not able to temporarily repair the signal at SW Market Street, which is currently being controlled by six flaggers. 

 

PBOT estimates the repairs will be completed by 1:00 pm today.

 

The Portland Water Bureau is installing a 36-inch diameter steel water supply pipeline on SW Naito Parkway, from SW Clay Street to SW Caruthers Street. The night work -- 9:00 pm to 6:00 am -- on SW Naito will take several weeks to complete.

 

Motorists and bicyclists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

 

                                                                        # # #

 

Construction of a 36-inch steel water transmission pipe will start tonight, Tuesday January 3, 2012 at 9:00 PM at the intersection of SW Naito and Clay Street in downtown Portland. The work is being done by a contractor for the Portland Water Bureau. 

 

Work hours will be from 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM Sunday night through Friday morning for the next several weeks. Construction will start at SW Clay Street and proceed southbound along SW Naito Parkway.

 

Flaggers and traffic cones will direct motorists around the work zone. Some lane closures and delays should be expected. 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 that will install another 5,000-feet of steel water mains to replace an existing critical but aging supply pipeline. Construction work on SW Naito Parkway began in September and is estimated to be completed by spring of 2012.

 

Tim Hall

Public Outreach

503-823-6926 

 

                                                                

The City of Victoria, British Columbia in Canada proudly purchased the first Portland Loo ever exported to a foreign city, endearingly called the Langley Street Loo. The Loo was purchased for the price of $90,000. As part of the purchase agreement, our very own Loo installation expert, engineer David Gray traveled to Victoria for the installation. Everything went very well, and now citizens and tourists have 24 hour access to a restroom near Bastion Square, a beautiful and busy public market and tourist destination.

Then we got word that the Portland Loo has become a poster child for public toilets…a photo of the first Portland Loo will be on the cover of the Global Guideline for Practical Public Toilet Design, published by the International Code Council and worldtoilet.org. The tagline for the International Code Council is “People Helping People Build a Safer World,” and we couldn’t agree more. Exporting Portland Loo’s will help improve the world one toilet at a time…and at a profit for the City of Portland!

Lastly, if you haven't checked it out lately, our Portland Loo website (www.portlandloo.com) is growing thanks to Brash Creative, a student run marketing group at the Art Institute of Portland. They also produced a quick video of a Portland Loo installation!

 

Enjoy your next visit to a local Portland Loo!

 

Anne Hill
Project Management Analyst

It's stuffy nose season, and you may be in the habit of using a neti pot to clean your sinuses. However, we want you to be safe.

 

Recent news about the death of 2 people in Louisiana who died after using a neti pot with amoeba-infested water prompted a comment on our Facebook page.

 

Like Louisiana's health authorities, we recommend that customers boil (and cool!) water before using it to irrigate your sinuses. 

 

We do not test for the "brain-eating" amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The reason is because this particular amoeba is only present in water much warmer than Portland's very cold Bull Run drinking water source. That being said, it's recommended that water heater thermostats are set at 125 degrees, because lower temperature setting can result in the growth of bacteria that can cause a sulfur/rotten egg smell in the hot water.

 

Again, to be on the safe side, we recommend that you always bring water to a rolling boil and cool prior to using in your neti pot.

 

Darcy Cronin

Community Involvement and Information

 

 

 

Contact:          Darcy Cronin,Portland Water Bureau

                      (503) 823-8064

 

Portland to Request an Extension on its Reservoir Replacement Schedule

 

December 14, 2011

 

PORTLAND OR—The Portland Water Bureau received a response yesterday from the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Program (OHA) to its request for an indefinite suspension in Portland’s uncovered drinking water reservoir compliance schedule during EPA’s review of the federal LT2 rule.

 

OHA responded that while EPA’s undertaking of a review of the LT2 rule is not a basis for an extension, EPA has provided guidance on what facts may warrant compliance schedule adjustments.

 

“EPA still hasn’t indicated why New York City is being treated differently than Portland regarding uncovered reservoirs,” said David Shaff, Water Bureau Administrator, referring to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s statement earlier this year that New York City may be eligible for alternative compliance options. “However, we do see that EPA has provided some direction on how a compliance schedule can be amended which will now be the focus of our attention and efforts.”

 

Per EPA’s new guidance, the City of Portland therefore will request an extension for its reservoir replacement schedule from OHA.

 

###

A Portland Water Bureau Facebook fan posted a comment during the recent storm event in late November:

 

Hey, so I thought that since you guys are in the water business and all, you might have an inside track on this whole rain deal. Can you pass on a message to whomever manages the rain that while we appreciate their gumption and generosity, we all are in desperate need of some sunlight? Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

This humorous query made a few of us here at the bureau ask, do Portland Water Bureau customers know how rain storms can affect their drinking water, and what we do to ensure that potential impacts are minimized?

 

Portland Water Bureau staff constantly reviews weather and rainfall patterns and forecasts, not only to predict water supply, but also because very wet conditions and storms can affect one important aspect of Bull Run water: turbidity. Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness caused by individual particles (suspended solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in the air. Normally, turbidity levels in Bull Run water are very low, but, during storms, the Bull Run River and its tributaries can carry dirt and other organic debris into the Bull Run reservoirs.

 

Federal regulations set allowable turbidity levels at less than 5 nephelometric turbidity units (or NTU). A water treatment plant that uses filtration would trap and detain most of the solids that cause turbidity, but Bull Run water is very high quality and does not need to be filtered. Therefore, we monitor turbidity not only in the Bull Run reservoirs, but also in all of the major streams that feed the reservoirs.

 

When a storm starts, the Portland Water Bureau Operations group focuses its efforts on collecting and analyzing this stream flow data to predict whether the flows into the river, reservoirs, and intake are vigorous enough to churn up sediment and affect water quality. These analysts also look at the rate of change of the turbidity. Interestingly, we have found that, when the daily average flow on the largest tributary exceeds 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), there is a strong probability that the turbidity at the intake—the point where water leaves the reservoirs for treatment and transport—will exceed 5 NTU (the allowable limit).

 

If this exceedance is likely, the staff who operate the Columbia South Shore Well Field will be put on alert in case the Bull Run supply must be shut down. When turbidity levels reach Portland Water Bureau’s threshold (lower than the 5 NTU regulatory limit), the staff at the well field start pumping groundwater as the Bull Run Supply is shut down. Groundwater initially blends with the Bull Run water already in distribution system pipes and tanks until, over the course of a few days, water served is 100% groundwater. Our Community Information staff let our customers know that we will be serving groundwater, water quality staff alert sensitive water users of expected water quality changes, and our Customer Service staff gear up for questions from customers.

 

So during the next storm, when most Portlanders are sitting cozy at home or their favorite beverage establishment, know that the employees at the Portland Water Bureau are working to ensure that it delivers high-quality water to its customers.

 

Terry Black

Sr. Community Outreach and Information Representative