Just like our rivers, our groundwater must be protected. The Cities of Portland, Gresham and Fairview have implemented a groundwater protection program to protect the Columbia South Shore Well Field – a drinking water source for over 800,000 Oregonians.

The goal of the groundwater protection program is to prevent chemical spills that could seep into the ground and pollute our drinking water. Businesses within the wellhead protection area boundary are subject to regulation if they use certain types and quantities of chemicals. Regulations focus on spill containment, prevention and best management practices. Pollution prevention is a cost-effective way to protect our groundwater resource and requires the cooperation of everyone living and working in the protection area.