^{Columbia South Shore Well Field}

On Monday, August 6, 2012, the Portland Water Bureau will begin blending a small portion of water from the city's groundwater supply at Columbia South Shore Well Field into the distribution system as part of an annual maintenance operation. The maintenance operation is scheduled for completion by August 24, 2012.

The groundwater supply is a complex system composed of pumps, electronic instruments and other appurtenances that must be operated regularly to identify any maintenance needs. This routine maintenance will ensure the reliability of the groundwater supply when it’s needed, either in an emergency, or as part of seasonal supply. The well field groundwater is blended with water from the Bull Run watershed and mixed at the city’s 50-million gallon underground reservoir at Powell Butte Nature Park in southeast Portland.

^{Groundwater Pump Station}

The rate of groundwater pumping will vary throughout each day. Groundwater will be pumped at a rate of 18 million gallons per day during works hours. No pumping will occur at night. The rate of pumping may decrease toward the end of the operation. The resultant average contribution of groundwater to the system will be approximately 3 percent or less of the total daily water demand of the Portland metropolitan region. Residential customers will experience a minimal change in water quality. Click here for the expected water quality of Bull Run compared to groundwater.

Click here to access a map of areas receiving groundwater blend and areas receiving 100 percent Bull Run water or visit http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/406988.

For more information on Portland Water Bureau operations, visit www.portlandoregon.gov/water. Customers with water quality questions are encouraged to call the Water Line at 503-823-7525.

Contact:  
Terry Black
Portland Water Bureau
(503) 823-8064
terry.black@portlandoregon.gov