The Portland Water Bureau received results from ongoing monitoring from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. One Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in a 50-liter sample collected on Tuesday April 10, 2018. Prior to this detection, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run Watershed intake on Feb. 19, 2018, when one oocyst was detected in a 50-liter sample.

The bureau continues to use the Bull Run as its primary source of drinking water. The Portland Water Bureau does not currently treat for Cryptosporidium, but is required to do so under the drinking water regulations. Portland is working to install filtration by 2027 under a compliance schedule with the Oregon Health Authority. In the meantime, the Portland Water Bureau is implementing interim measures such as watershed protection and additional monitoring to protect public health. Consultation with public health officials has concluded that at this time, customers do not need to take any additional precautions.

Exposure to Cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis, a serious illness. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. People with healthy immune systems recover without medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include those with AIDS; those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system; and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.

The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that a small percentage of the population could experience gastro-intestinal illness from Cryptosporidium and advises that customers who are immunocompromised and receive their drinking water from the Bull Run Watershed consult with their healthcare professional about the safety of drinking the tap water. The Portland Water Bureau and Burlington, City of Gresham, City of Sandy, City of Tualatin, Green Valley, GNR, Hideaway Hills, Lake Grove, Lorna Portland Water, Lusted, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Rockwood, Skyview Acres, Tualatin Valley, Two Rivers, Valley View and West Slope Water Districts receive all or part of their drinking water supply from the Bull Run. To learn if your drinking water comes from Bull Run, please contact your local drinking water provider.

The public and the media are encouraged to view all sampling results posted to the City’s website at portlandoregon.gov/water/cryptoresults. The bureau will notify the media and public immediately should further test results indicate a risk to public health and precautions are necessary.

Customers with questions regarding water quality can call the Water Line at  503-823-7525.

During the weekend of March 31 to April 1, 2018, construction crews will restore much of the traffic flow in Washington Park affected by the Portland Water Bureau’s Washington Park Reservoir Improvement Project. These restoration efforts will be fully in place by Monday morning, April 2, 2018.  (Details below.)

All streets that were temporarily closed or had traffic flow changes related to this project will be reopened and returned to their typical traffic patterns. Most of the 220 parking spaces that were closed will be reopened, except for approximately 42 spaces that will remain closed until the end of construction in 2024.

Local residents and visitors to the park should still expect delays, and watch for signs, plan extra time for trips, and consider alternate routes and modes of transportation to get to destinations.

Impacts include:

Park Entrances and Exits

• All entrances and exits will be open.

Road Openings and Intermittent Delays

• Southwest Sacajawea Boulevard will reopen to traffic in the west to east direction, but will remain closed to pedestrians.
• Southwest Sherwood Boulevard will reopen between Southwest Rose Garden Way and Southwest Sacajawea Boulevard, with intermittent delays between Murray Street and Sacajawea Boulevard.

Traffic Flow Reversal

• Traffic flow will be restored (east to west pattern) on Southwest Lewis Clark Way.

Multi-Use Shared Path

• A designated path separates pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles on Southwest Lewis Clark Way.
• Pedestrians and cyclists can use the path to travel both in and out of the park on Southwest Lewis Clark Way.
• Cyclists are required to walk and not ride bicycles on the paths.

Parking

• All parking spaces are closed on Southwest Lewis Clark Way and Sacajawea Boulevard.
• Parking spaces along Southwest Sherwood Boulevard from just south of Southwest Murray Street north to Southwest Sacajawea Boulevard are closed; all others will open.

Trails

• Madison Trail: Pedestrians and cyclists can enter and exit via Southwest Madison Street and Sacajawea Boulevard. The trail will be closed intermittently; watch for signage.

About the Washington Park Reservoir Improvement Project

The Portland Water Bureau’s Washington Park Reservoir Improvement Project will seismically strengthen key water infrastructure on Portland’s west side and help ensure a healthy, resilient, and secure water system. When complete and online, the new reservoir will supply water to Portland’s west side and serve more than 360,000 people, including all downtown businesses and residents, industrial customers, 20 schools, three hospital complexes, more than 60 parks, and some of Portland’s world class attractions. It will also provide fire suppression.

For more information, visit www.portlandoregon.gov/water/wpreservoirs.