city news...
Nov 13,2008
Water Bureau Temporarily Turns Off Bull Run Water Supply
by jenniferd
The Water Bureau temporarily turned off the Bull Run water supply system this morning due to increased turbidity in the watershed. The bureau activated groundwater wells in the Columbia South Shore Well Field to temporarily serve water to Portland. Recent heavy rains and increased stream flows in the Bull Run watershed have contributed to this rapid increase in turbidity. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of (drinking) water by suspended particles. Portland is one of six large drinking water systems in the country that does not filter its water supply. The city is able to comply with federal drinking water regulations by continuously meeting a set of filtration avoidance criteria. Portland has been able to consistently meet these criteria, but it occasionally has to shut down the Bull Run system and operate from its backup groundwater supply when storms and other natural disturbances in the Bull Run reservoirs increase the turbidity. The Surface Water Treatment Rule
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posted at 10:32 AM
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Oct 23,2008
Night, Night City Fountains
by jenniferd
One by one, the Portland Water Bureau is putting its fountains to sleep for the winter. So, if you haven't gotten in your quality time, better do it ... like today! Very few remain awake. So far, Water Bureau Fountain Man John Bee has turned off: Lovejoy Fountain Animals in Pools Fountains Skidmore Fountain Holladay Park Fountain McCoy Fountain Elk Fountain Salmon Street Springs Fountain Ira Keller Fountain Jamison Square Fountain The Water Bureau turns fountains off for the winter in order to prevent their fountain-parts from being damaged by the cold and also to have a chance to do any necessary maintenance and repair work. To find out which fountains are still running, visit www.portlandonline.com/water/fountains Sleep tight fountains. See you in the springtime! Jennie Day-Burget Portland Water Bureau
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posted at 04:30 PM
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Oct 2,2008
Metal Thieves "Metaling" Again
by jenniferd
One of the Portland Water Bureau's meter readers recently reported a growing number of missing meter lids on the eastside of our city. The problem areas are around NE Alberta and 16th - 18th streets and SE Hawthorne and 25th. These lids are, presumably, stolen property. The Water Bureau will make every attempt to replace these lids as soon as possible as the missing lids create a safety hazard for the public. Their absence leaves a hole in the ground where someone (or something) could potentially trip or get stuck. Please be on the look out for missing meter lids and call 503-823-4874 to report a lid missing, or Water Bureau security at 503-823-8064 should you suspect that your meter lid has been stolen. The Water Bureau has been plagued by a series of metal thefts over the past several years including historical site plaques , fountain parts and hardware and drinking fountain bowls . Jennie Burget Interim Public Information Officer Portland Water Bureau
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posted at 02:27 PM
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Oct 1,2008
Would You Buy the Rights to Rename Ira Keller Fountain?
by jenniferd
Since we don't deal in wastewater here in the Water Bureau I generally don't delve into the very exciting world that is wastewater, but this story caught my attention : eBay item No. 320304726235 this afternoon is the "Naming Rights to University Sewage Plant." And yes, someone has already bid $500 for the right to name a new wastewater treatment plant at Webber International University (Babson Park, Florida). Any name, provided it is not libelous or profane, is acceptable. So, if the Water Bureau were to auction off the rights to name the Ira Keller Fountain , how much would you pay and/or what would you call it? Jennie Burget Portland Water Bureau - Interim Public Information Officer 503-823-7510
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posted at 01:54 PM
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Sep 16,2008
The Portland Water Bureau Invites Public to Bike Safety Event This Afternoon
by jenniferd
WHAT : Portland Water Bureau hosts bike safety event to alert cyclists about the hazards of riding near big trucks. WHEN : Tuesday, September 16, 2008; 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm WHERE : Rose Quarter's Benton Parking Lot at N. Broadway and N. Larrabee Street The Portland Water Bureau is hosting a two-hour event to spotlight the daily safety concerns of bicycles and large trucks on city streets this afternoon. The public is invited to participate in or simply observe this event. Bike commuters will have an opportunity to sit in the driver's seat of several of the Water Bureau's huge maintenance vehicles to see the many blind spots and other dangers of riding near large trucks. The Water Bureau will also show a short video it produced that illustrates these hazards and informs cyclists of ways to help ensure their safety by being visible to both car and truck drivers. The Water Bureau is joined by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). The organization recent
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posted at 09:07 AM
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Sep 11,2008
Holladay Park Fountain Shutdown
by shooter
On September 9th, Fountain Man, John Bee shut down Holladay Park —one of the Water Bureau 's interactive fountains—at NE 11th and NE Multnomah. No worries. The shut down is only temporary. It's necessary to give the fountain sufficient time to dry out for needed maintenance next week. The fountain must be completely dry in order to complete the work. The fountain is a spouting fountain designed by Tim Clemen and Murase Associates . It was installed in August 2000 to replace a 1965 fountain at the Park. Programmable nozzles and valves on several plumbing loops create a playful atmosphere of surprise trajectories and timing sequences.
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posted at 07:01 AM
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Sep 10,2008
Benson Bubbler Brochure Now Available
by jenniferd
I am so excited to announce that the Portland Water Bureau has proudly unveiled a new brochure on Portland's iconic Benson Bubblers, this week. Portland's Benson Bubblers -An Icon. A Legacy ., includes information about the history and conservation efforts associated with the Bubblers, as well as a map of their downtown locations. It is a beautiful piece, rich with photographs and illustrations. You can either download a PDF version here or call (503) 823-7510 and ask to have a copy mailed to you. Jennie Burget Interim Public Information Officer Portland Water Bureau
posted at 10:49 AM
4 comments
Aug 27,2008
Presentation Leads Water Blogmistress to Strong Realization
by jenniferd
I had a really neat experience yesterday. I was invited to the adidas campus, located in North Portland, to talk about the excellent quality of Portland's tap water . The folks over at adidas have organized a group of "sustainability ambassadors," who are working to improve "green" practices at their company, from head to toe. The idea is that the ambassadors meet periodically and not only decide on changes they would like to implement company-wide, but also to learn information to transmit to co-workers. I spent about 1/2 hour talking to this group of people about Portland's great tap water and worked on dispelling many of the myths and fears that people have about drinking from the tap . I was delighted that they not only listened incredibly intently to my presentation, but they also asked some great follow-up questions. I could tell that this group was really thinking about what I had told them. They even invited me back for their health fair in October. T
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posted at 11:29 AM
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Aug 26,2008
North River Plan News
by shooter
RIVER PLAN NEWS August 25, 2008Planning for the land along the Willamette River
City of Portland | Bureau of Planning IN THIS ISSUE
1. Planning Commission Briefing
2. Join the River Team at Riverfest
3. River Plan / North Reach Tentative Schedule Change ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Planning Commission Briefing
On Tuesday, August 26th, planning staff will brief the Planning Commission on River Plan / North Reach natural resource and economic information. Meeting details:
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at approximately 8:15 pm
Planning Bureau, Room 2500A (2nd Floor)
1900 SW 4th Avenue
Portland, OR 97201 Click here to plan your trip using public transportation: TriMet Trip Planner
For more information call the Planning Bureau at (503) 823-7700 or visit the Planning Commission website . 2. Join the River Team at Riverfest
The River Team will take part in the Riverfest Community Fair at Tom McCall Waterfront Part
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posted at 11:45 AM
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Aug 19,2008
Blog-Off Day 2: What Will Tuesday Bring to our Blog-Off Bloggers?
by jenniferd
Tuesday's Blog-Off Challenge sent by The Mercury's Amy Ruiz: This challenge is courtesy of a reader: "I'd like to hear a response plan from each agency on a Nessie-esque beast in the water reservoirs. Assume it is dangerous, eating skinny dippers, dragging dogs underwater, etc." News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact, August 19, 2008
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posted at 03:15 PM
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