Are 'pet projects' to blame for Portland's high water and sewer rates?

The Oregonian Politifact

Water,sewer oversight

Tricia Knoll in The Oregonian

Squirt Guns at Dawn

Dirk Vanderhart in The Portland Mercury

City water issues could create ripples in May Votes

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Groundwater to be added to Portland supply system

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

City Leaders Debate Arts Tax Changes

April Baer on OPB.org

Tour of new reservoir under construction on Powell Butte

Steve McCarron on KPTV.com

Next steps on downtown homelessness in Portland

Israel Bayer in Street Roots

July 29, 2013

Join us August 1^st through 10^th for the Washington Park Summer Festival!

This proud Portland tradition has a great line-up of performers this year. From jazz to orchestra, opera to dance, this year’s 10-evening concert series has something special to offer for everyone.

Join Nick on August 1 for the kick-off evening featuring the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. These talented men are an exuberant, powerful, and witty group whose musical artistry will astound and delight you.

Each musically charged evening begins at 6 pm in the Rose Garden Amphitheater. Visit Portland Parks & Recreation’s website to see the full line-up of performers for this year’s series.

Special thanks to DAIMLER, proud sponsor of Washington Park Summer Festival.

Washington Park Summer Festival

August 1 – 10

Rose Garden Amphitheater

6 pm

July 30, 2013

Last Sunday, “floating enthusiasts” celebrated the Willamette River during the 3^rd annual Big Float, an event intended to dismantle the public perception that the Willamette River is unsafe to play and swim in.

This fun Portland party encourages rivergoers to jump in, splash around, grab their inner-tubes and enjoy the Portland summer with a cruise down the Willamette.

In 2011, the City of Portland completed the $1.44 billion Big Pipe project, the largest public works project in our history. The Big Pipe system was put in place specifically to address Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO), which hurt water quality in the Willamette.

Way back when, it only took a tenth of an inch of rain to cause sewage to flow from the sewer system directly into the Willamette! Fortunately, the Big Pipe changed all that. In March 2011, the new Big Pipe system went through its toughest test yet when Portland had its wettest March in recorded history. It passed with flying colors – there wasn’t a single CSO event for the entire month!

Thanks to the Big Pipe, the Willamette River is now a safe place to swim and play. We hope you take some time to enjoy the river this summer.

Don't worry if you missed this year's Big Float, planning for next year is already underway!

Big Float 3 on the Willamette River

In The Skanner News

photo courtesy of bigfloat.com