It was reported to me this week that several bronze plaques, located at the Water Bureau's Columbia South Shore Well Field are being stolen. This is very disheartening because while it may not seem like a big deal to the average Joe, these plaques are of great historical significance to the bureau. Each plaque not only identifies the bureau name and well number, but also the commissioner in charge at the time when the site was built, the bureau director and others associated with each well. In other words, those seemingly inane plaques hold a wealth of information about each individual well site that it is important to keep tabs on.

And besides, it's rather annoying that people feel inclined to steal them and then do so. We can only presume what they are doing with them. (I'm guessing they're not hanging them over their beds to look at every night...) But it's illegal and just rude.

What can the public do? Well, unfortunately not much but even small efforts help, right? If you are in the area and notice any shenanigans and/or suspicious behavior, please call the Water Bureau Security staff. They can be reached at 503-823-6084, 24 hours per day. They would be delighted to hear from you about this.

Jennie Day

Interim Public Information Officer