The Backstory
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Brief Timeline​:

• 2006: Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates public water systems treat for cryptosporidium (LT2 Rule)

• 2009: The Portland City Council directs Portland Water Bureau (PWB) to design a UV Treatment System

 

• 2011: Bull Run Water supply granted variance from LT2 rule due to the exceptional water quality but must test for cryptosporidium regularly

 

•  2012: UV Filtration Design is complete, cost $16 million

 

• 2017: Cryptosporidium detected at Bull Run

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• 2017: In spite of having a UV design on hand, PWB proposes filtration to the Portland City Council, estimating a cost of $350 to $500 million. Portland City Council approves

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• 2019: PWB presents to the Portland City Council a dramatically higher cost estimate of the filtration plant of $850 million and the possibility the cost may increase 50% more

While the EPA mandate requires the PWB to treat the Bull Run water for cryptosporidium, they did not mandate what type of treatment should be used. The EPA allows several methods of treatment for crypto including UV, Ozone and filtration. The PWB filtration plant is vastly more expensive than a UV or Ozone treatment facility. 

Oops, We Forgot the Pipes!  While originally sold to the city council as a $350 to $500 million project, they neglected to include many things including the pipes coming to and going from the plant. When the PWB came back with the new comprehensive estimate, including the forgotten pipes, the cost estimates had ballooned to $850 million. PWB admitted that their revised estimated cost of $850 million may increase as much as 50% resulting in a total cost of over 1.2 billion dollars! 
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It will be the residential and business rate payers that will be stuck with the resulting skyrocketing rates. All customers reliant on the Bull Run Watershed, which includes many other municipalities and cities that purchase their water from the PWB, will see a large increase in rates as well. ​

The effects of the 5+ year building process and eventual operation of such a plant will also inflict a lasting legacy of environmental impact.

NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED -
​Click below to read linked articles.

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