Public health is our highest priority. The Portland Water Bureau cares about the health of the families in our community and is committed to help you limit your exposure to lead in drinking water. Water-related lead exposure in Portland is linked to building plumbing and fixtures, not to lead in our water or distribution system. Portland’s drinking water comes from two high-quality sources –the Bull Run Watershed and Columbia South Shore Well Field. Our source waters meet or exceed all federal and state drinking water standards.

The greatest source of exposure to lead in the Portland region is from lead paint in homes built before 1978. For this reason, the Portland Water Bureau funds education, outreach and testing for all sources of lead, including lead paint.

Please review the following information to learn more about what the Portland Water Bureau is doing to protect public health, and what you can do in your own home to reduce your exposure to lead.

In this section, you will find: