Portland, OR — Portland is one step closer to ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water for nearly one million Oregonians with the approval of a $319 million loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The loan will help fund the construction of a state-of-the-art water filtration facility at the Bull Run watershed in eastern Multnomah County.
The new facility, which will span 50 acres, is part of the Bull Run Treatment Project, a massive infrastructure undertaking that has escalated in cost to more than $2 billion. The project’s goal is to upgrade Portland’s aging water system, providing filtration to the Bull Run water source that supplies drinking water to Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties. Construction is expected to take four to five years to complete, with the filtration system addressing critical water quality concerns related to pathogens, wildfires, seismic risks, and extreme weather.
Sarah Murphy Santer, a spokesperson for the Portland Water Bureau, underscored the importance of maintaining a reliable and safe water supply for the community. “Clean water is the backbone of a healthy community,” she said. “Portland’s water system is old, and it requires ongoing upgrades to meet the needs of the population.”
This loan is the second Portland has received under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and marks the largest EPA contribution to a drinking water project in the agency’s history. Local officials, including Mayor Ted Wheeler, have emphasized the need for such a project in light of increasing risks to water quality. Last year, a wildfire came within two miles of the city’s Bull Run water facilities, prompting further urgency to build a filtration system.
“The need for filtration is clear,” Mayor Wheeler said. “Portland is facing threats from wildfires, seismic activity, and changing weather patterns that could compromise the quality of our water. This project is the versatile solution Portland needs to address those risks.”
Despite the strong backing from local government leaders, the project has faced opposition from some residents in the surrounding rural area. Lauren and Ian Courter, leaders of the Cottrell Community Planning Organization, which represents 2,000 households and 200 businesses, have criticized the proposed location. They argue that the filtration plant should be situated closer to Portland, within the urban growth boundary, rather than in the rural Bull Run area.
“It’s a ridiculous proposal in the wrong location,” Ian Courter said. “The plant should be located in or near the city of Portland, where the infrastructure already exists.”
Opponents have formally appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals, challenging the approval of the project’s current location. A decision on the appeal is expected to be made by Friday.
While critics continue to voice concerns, proponents stress that the project is crucial to maintaining Portland’s public health and the region’s long-term water security. Senator Jeff Merkley, who supported the loan, called the funding a “huge step forward” for Oregon’s efforts to provide safe, reliable drinking water to its residents.
As construction moves ahead, local authorities will continue to navigate the debate over the project’s location, balancing the need for an updated water system with the concerns of nearby communities.
