Source Water Protection

Protecting our region's drinking water sources - some of the safest and most dependable in the nation - is of critical importance to water providers and the public.

Consortium members take great care to protect the region’s drinking water sources so that they remain safe and plentiful today, and for future generations. The Consortium is an active advocate for protection of the region’s drinking water sources by supporting and promoting legislation and rule making that improve water quality and watershed protections. Consortium members participate in regional and state-wide committees to ensure that regional water quality needs are being met. Read below for a summary, and for more information, read the Consortium's Source Water Protection Plan (PDF).

How our region's water sources are being protected:

Bull Run Watershed: The Bull Run Watershed serves the City of Portland and its wholesalers. Read about the Portland Water Bureau’s watershed protection efforts.
The Clackamas River: The Clackamas River serves most residents in Clackamas County and supplies water for the following Consortium members: Clackamas River Water, City of Lake Oswego, Sunrise Water Authority, South Fork Water Board, Oak Lodge Water Services, and the City of Gladstone. Learn about the Clackamas River Watershed protection efforts.
The Trask & Tualatin Rivers: The Trask & Tualatin Rivers provides drinking water for many residents in Washington County and supplies water for the following Consortium members: Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Tualatin Valley Water District, Tigard and Beaverton. Learn about watershed protection efforts along the Trask & Tualatin Rivers here: Tualatin River Keepers, Clean Water Services, and Tualatin River Watershed Council.
The Willamette River: The Willamette River provides drinking water for some Washington County residents and supplies water for the following Consortium members: City of Sherwood and City of Wilsonville. Tualatin Valley Water District and the City of Hillsboro are also partnering to develop the mid-Willamette River at Wilsonville as an additional water supply source. More information on Willamette River water quality and related organizations can be found here: Willamette Water Supply Program, Willamette Riverkeeper, and the Willamette Partnership.
Groundwater: Groundwater is the primary and/or secondary drinking water source for several communities in the greater Portland metro area region including City of Milwaukie (primary), City of Troutdale (primary), City of Newberg (primary), City of Gresham (secondary), Rockwood Water People’s Utility District (secondary), and Portland Water Bureau and its wholesalers (secondary).

The Cities of Portland, Gresham and Fairview have implemented a groundwater protection program to protect the Columbia South Shore Well Field. And, Gresham and Rockwood administer the Cascade Well Field Protection Program. Both programs work with residents and businesses to implement groundwater friendly practices.

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