Portland – Oregon – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Portland Water Bureau (PWB), serving nearly one million residents across Portland and 15 surrounding communities, manages a robust water system that draws from two high-quality sources: the pristine Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field. The system includes over 2,200 miles of water mains, several treatment facilities, and numerous pumping stations, delivering approximately 100 million gallons of water daily.
Portland’s primary water source is the Bull Run Watershed, a protected 102-square-mile forest located just 26 miles east of downtown on the western slopes of Mount Hood. The watershed collects water from about 135 inches of annual rainfall that flows into the Bull Run River and its tributaries. The water is then impounded in two reservoirs before being treated and delivered to customers through three large conduits. Since 2017, PWB has been working toward implementing a comprehensive filtration system to be completed by 2027, following federal and state regulations aimed at removing Cryptosporidium and other potential contaminants. Portland’s approach to water management balances preserving its historically exceptional source water with modern treatment technologies to ensure continued excellence in water quality for future generations.
Portland Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period showed lead levels below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, though homes with lead solder installed before 1985 may have higher levels due to home plumbing rather than the water supply system itself.
- Testing Scope: Portland Water Bureau conducts over 11,000 water samples and 49,000 water quality tests annually, monitoring for more than 200 regulated and unregulated contaminants—far exceeding regulatory requirements.
- Compliance Status: Portland’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining compliance with EPA and Oregon Health Authority regulations, with ongoing progress toward filtration treatment by 2027.
Bull Run Watershed Excellence
- Protected Source Water: The Bull Run Watershed is a restricted area where public access, logging, and development are prohibited, creating a natural filtration system through old-growth forest that produces exceptionally clean source water.
- Strategic Intake Design: Water is collected from the Bull Run River via intake facilities below Dam 2, drawing from the coldest, cleanest water from the watershed’s reservoirs, which can store up to 10 billion gallons of usable water.
- Watershed Protection: Comprehensive source water protection programs coordinate with multiple state and local agencies to monitor and reduce potential contamination sources, with regular inspections and environmental sampling.
Current Treatment Approach
- Chlorine Disinfection: Primary disinfection using chlorine to provide protection against bacteria and viruses, with careful monitoring to maintain effective disinfection while minimizing disinfection byproducts.
- Corrosion Control: Improved treatment with sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide to adjust pH and alkalinity, creating a protective coating inside pipes to reduce lead and copper leaching from home plumbing.
- Continuous Monitoring: State-of-the-art real-time water quality monitoring throughout the treatment process and distribution system, with automated alerts for any variations from established parameters.
Filtration Project Progress
- Regulatory Timeline: Following Cryptosporidium detections in 2017, Portland is under a compliance agreement with the Oregon Health Authority to implement filtration treatment by September 2027 to remove Cryptosporidium and other potential contaminants.
- Project Status: The filtration facility design is complete, with land use permits approved in both Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Construction has begun on the facility and pipeline improvements, which together represent the largest infrastructure investment in Portland Water Bureau’s history.
- System Benefits: When completed, the filtration system will remove Cryptosporidium and other microorganisms while also improving water quality during turbidity events caused by heavy rainfall, protecting against potential wildfire impacts, and enhancing the system’s overall resilience.
Secondary Water Source
Portland’s security is enhanced by its secondary water source, the Columbia South Shore Well Field, which can produce 65-95 million gallons per day from 25 wells drawing from three aquifers. This groundwater system serves as a critical backup when Bull Run water is unavailable or insufficient during dry summer months, emergencies like the 2023 Camp Creek fire, or infrastructure maintenance. Unlike many cities, Portland can switch between two excellent water sources, providing exceptional water system resilience and allowing continuous service even during challenging conditions. Both water sources meet or exceed all drinking water standards, and the transition between sources is typically unnoticeable to customers, demonstrating Portland’s leadership in comprehensive water resource management.
Recommendations for Portland Residents
Get Free Lead Testing
Portland Water Bureau offers free lead-in-water testing for residents. Request a kit online at portland.gov/water/water-quality/test-your-water-lead or call 503-823-7525. Priority testing is available for households with children and pregnant women.
Flush Your Pipes
If water hasn’t been used for 6+ hours, run cold water for 3 minutes or until it feels noticeably colder. Always use cold water for drinking and cooking to minimize potential lead exposure from household plumbing.
Clean Your Aerator
Regularly clean faucet aerators (screens) every few months. Particles containing lead from solder or household plumbing can become trapped in aerators. Removing and cleaning them reduces potential lead exposure.
Consider Filtration
If concerned about lead or Cryptosporidium, consider using a certified filter. For lead, look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certified filters. For Cryptosporidium, choose filters with “cyst reduction” or “cyst removal” certification.
Take a Watershed Tour
The Portland Water Bureau offers guided tours of the Bull Run Watershed from June through October. Visit portland.gov/water/education/community-education/visit-bull-run-watershed to sign up for this unique opportunity to see your drinking water source firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be concerned about Cryptosporidium in Portland’s water?
Since 2017, low levels of Cryptosporidium have occasionally been detected in Bull Run water, particularly during the rainy season. Here’s what you should know:
• Portland currently does not treat specifically for Cryptosporidium but is building a filtration facility to address this by September 2027
• The Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County public health officials continue to believe the water is safe to drink for the general public
• According to the CDC, people with healthy immune systems typically recover from cryptosporidiosis without medical treatment
• People with severely weakened immune systems should consult their healthcare providers about drinking Bull Run water
Those who are concerned can use filters certified for “cyst reduction” or “cyst removal” (NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58). Portland conducts regular monitoring and testing and publishes the results at portland.gov/water/water-quality/cryptosporidium.
Should I be concerned about lead in Portland’s water?
Portland’s source water from Bull Run and the Columbia South Shore Well Field contains no lead, but lead can enter water through home plumbing. Here’s what you should know:
• Lead in Portland water typically comes from lead solder (used in homes built or plumbed between 1970 and 1985) or brass plumbing components
• Portland has improved corrosion control treatment to reduce lead levels at customer taps
• The city offers free lead-in-water testing for all residents
If you’re concerned about lead, the Water Bureau recommends:
• Running water for 3 minutes after long periods of non-use
• Using only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula
• Regularly cleaning faucet aerators
• Considering a certified lead-reduction filter
Request free lead testing by visiting portland.gov/water/water-quality/test-your-water-lead or calling 503-823-7525.
Why is Portland building a filtration facility?
Portland is building a new filtration facility for several important reasons:
• Regulatory Compliance: Following Cryptosporidium detections in 2017, the Oregon Health Authority required Portland to treat for Cryptosporidium by September 2027
• Public Health Protection: Filtration will remove Cryptosporidium and other microorganisms that can cause illness in vulnerable populations
• Improved Water Quality: The facility will address turbidity (cloudy water) that occasionally occurs during heavy rainfall or snowmelt events
• Wildfire Resilience: Filtration will remove ash, debris, and other contaminants that could enter the water supply during a watershed fire, as nearly happened during the 2023 Camp Creek Fire
• Climate Change Adaptation: The facility provides flexibility to address changing water quality as climate patterns shift and extreme weather becomes more common
The filtration facility is designed to treat 135 million gallons of water per day and will use gravity flow wherever possible to minimize energy use. Construction is underway with completion scheduled for 2027.
What is the Columbia South Shore Well Field?
The Columbia South Shore Well Field is Portland’s secondary water source and a critical part of the city’s water supply resilience. Here’s what makes it important:
• Backup Supply: The well field includes 25 wells spanning from I-205 near the airport to Blue Lake Park, drawing from three underground aquifers
• Significant Capacity: When fully activated, the system can produce between 65-95 million gallons of water per day
• Multiple Uses: Portland uses groundwater to supplement Bull Run during dry summers, during maintenance projects, during emergencies like the 2023 Camp Creek Fire, and when weather events impact Bull Run quality
• Groundwater Protection: The Water Bureau actively monitors and protects groundwater through the Groundwater Protection Program, working with businesses to prevent contamination
• Water Quality: Groundwater meets all federal and state drinking water standards and is treated with chlorine for disinfection before entering the distribution system
Most customers cannot taste the difference when Portland switches between Bull Run and groundwater sources, though some may notice a slight change in the water’s taste or smell.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead solder in copper pipes installed between 1970 and 1985, brass fixtures, and faucets. Portland does not have lead service lines.
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, kidney problems, cardiovascular effects in adults
Current Levels: Below EPA action level of 15 ppb in the most recent monitoring EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, but no level of lead is considered safe
Cryptosporidium
Source: Wildlife in the Bull Run Watershed; Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite found in surface water throughout the U.S.
Health Effects: Can cause cryptosporidiosis with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain. Those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.
Current Status: Low-level detections occur periodically, especially during rainy seasons. EPA Requirement: Surface water must be treated to remove Cryptosporidium; Portland is building filtration to comply by 2027.
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
