UPDATED Traffic Advisory: Lane Remains Closed At NE Airport Way And 148th Ave -05/11/25

UPDATE 9 P.M. Sunday, May 11, 2025: Lane closure expected to remain in place until Friday, May 16.

Drivers advised to use detour for westbound travel on NE Airport Way and the southbound right turn lane on NE 148th Ave to Airport Way.

PORTLAND, OR – Portland Water Bureau crews will continue working well into this week to repair a main break at NE Airport Way and NE 148th Avenue.

The City advises drivers to avoid the area. Flaggers will direct drivers to follow signs to a detour around the intersection. Westbound travel on NE Airport Way and southbound traffic in the right turn lane on NE 148th Avenue are impacted.

Drivers should use caution while driving in the area. Bureau crews working to repair the water main have families just like you; please keep your distance from crews at work and slow down when traveling through work zones.

Water service is not impacted at this time.

Crews are responding to a leak in a valve attached to a 48-inch steel water main that was originally installed in 1983. The soil condition in the area and the depth of the water main are complicating the repair. The first team on-site worked to stop the flow of water, address flooding, and pinpoint the location of the break. Crews are working to reach a valve that must be turned to reduce the flow of water and allow workers to access and repair the damaged main.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day.

Traffic Advisory: Lane Closed At NE Airport Way And 148th Avenue -05/09/25

Drivers advised to use detour for westbound travel on NE Airport Way and the southbound right turn lane on NE 148^th Ave to Airport Way

 

PORTLAND, OR – Portland Water Bureau crews will begin repairing a main break at NE Airport Way and NE 148^th Avenue this morning. Work is expected to last through the weekend.

 

The City is advising drivers to avoid the area. Flaggers will direct drivers to follow signs to a detour around the intersection. Westbound travel on NE Airport Way and southbound traffic in the right turn lane on NE 148^th Avenue will be impacted.

 

Drivers should use caution while driving in the area. Bureau crews working to repair the water main have families just like you; please keep your distance from crews at work and slow down when traveling through work zones.

 

Water service is not impacted at this time.

 

Crews are responding to a leak in a valve attached to a 48-inch steel water main that was originally installed in 1983. The soil condition in the area and the depth of the water main could complicate the repair. The first team on site worked to stop the flow of water, address flooding, and pinpoint the location of the break. Today’s efforts will focus on replacing the damaged main.

 

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

 

 

Save The Date: On June 14, Celebrate The Grand Opening Of An Iconic New Public Space In Portland’s Oldest Park (Photo) -04/30/25

Stroll Washington Park’s new promenade with Portland’s favorite water drop and get a special insider’s look at this marvel of modern engineering  

Join the City of Portland’s Public Works Service Area as we unveil the yearslong restoration of the Washington Park Reservoir. This once-in-a-generation project provides a seismically resilient water supply for 360,000 westside water users and a beautiful new reflecting pool and plaza for the entire community to enjoy.

 

Learn about project benefits from elected officials and stay for tours of the new plaza’s educational elements and historic features. Tours are available to members of the public and the media. Visitors are invited to walk the grounds and explore the city’s newest attraction.

 

When:             Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

 

Where:            Washington Park Upper Reflecting Pool and Main Plaza

 

“This project helps cement Washington Park as one of the city’s crown jewel destinations. The park’s 3.5 million annual visitors from around the world will be able to experience the new public space,” said Deputy City Administrator for Public Works Priya Dhanapal. “The reservoir is a prime example of thoughtful planning, deliberate placemaking, and critical investments in the future of Portland.”

 

Full schedule to follow!

 

About the Public Works Service Area

The Public Works Service Area keeps Portland running by managing the city’s water, sewer, stormwater, and transportation systems. It includes the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, and the Portland Water Bureau, maintaining over $60 billion in assets, a $2 billion annual budget, and 2,500 employees. Public Works ensures reliable infrastructure, invests in sustainability, and supports essential services that enhance daily life for Portlanders.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau is part of the City of Portland’s Public Works Service Area and serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 54 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,250 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day. 

Cryptosporidium Monitoring Update: Detections From Routine Monitoring In The Bull Run. Customers Do Not Need To Take Any Additional Precautions At This Time. -04/25/25

Since 2017, the Portland Water Bureau has detected low levels of Cryptosporidium from routine monitoring of source water. The Portland Water Bureau received results from ongoing monitoring from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. In the 50 liters sampled each day from April 20 to April 23, one Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in the sample collected on April 21. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the samples collected on April 20, April 22, or April 23. Prior to these detections, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run Watershed intake on April 15, 2025.

 

The Bull Run Watershed is Portland’s primary source of drinking water. The Portland Water Bureau does not currently treat for Cryptosporidium, but is required to do so under drinking water regulations. Portland is working to install filtration by September 30, 2027 under a compliance schedule with the Oregon Health Authority. In the meantime, 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 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 Domestic 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 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 portland.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 Quality Line at 503-823-7525.

 

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 53 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,200 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day.