Strengthening our infrastructure
June 9, 2014
Like it or not, we know “The Big One” could happen any time in the future. So the City is taking steps to ensure we are better prepared for emergencies or disasters like earthquakes.
Last Tuesday, the Portland Water Bureau gave a demonstration of the newly installed Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron (ERDI) pipe.
Following recommendations from the Oregon Resilience Plan, the Water Bureau installed the ERDI pipe to test ways we could improve our water system’s ability to remain usable after a seismic event. The innovative pipe, widely used in Japan, has moveable joints that can elongate or contract during earthquakes or landslides.
There are two pilot projects to evaluate the ERDI pipe. 845 feet of 6- and 8-inch diameter pipe has been installed on SW Northwood Avenue, and the bureau is currently installing 585 feet of pipe on SW Council Crest Drive.
Learn more about how your family can prepare for an emergency by visiting the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management’s website.