Water Quality & Aesthetics

Inquiries about dirty water are some of the most common customer calls we receive, and for good reason. It’s disconcerting when you turn on the tap expecting clear water and instead see water that is discolored or dirty. Customers often wonder why this happens, what they can do, and most of all, if the water…

We do share the community’s concern over PFAS chemicals and that is why we are testing for them in the drinking water and our wastewater’s biosolids.  Much of the recent attention has focused on the land application of biosolids. Unlike drinking water, there is no EPA approved method to reliably test biosolids and no federal…

Our most recent testing for PFAS in drinking water occurred in March of 2024 for the Greater Portland Water System. Regulated PFAS Compound EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Test Results Meets Standard EPA Reporting Limit PFOA 4 ppt ND Yes 4 PFOS 4 ppt ND Yes 4 PFHxS 10 ppt ND Yes 3 PFNA 10 ppt…

To prevent the growth of bacteria like Legionella in your plumbing, there are actions that you can take that vary in complexity depending on what type of water system you have. Although the risk is low for a healthy person to contract Legionnaires’ Disease (in the home), there are simple precautions you can take to…

Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for building or industrial processes) Hot tubs that aren’t drained after each use Decorative fountains and water features Showerheads and faucets Hot water tanks and heaters Large plumbing systems

Healthy people are at low risk for Legionnaires’ disease. The likelihood of infection increases in the elderly, particularly for men. An infection is also more likely in someone with other risk factors including: people over 50 years of age, smokers and heavy drinkers, people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease, diabetes, lung and heart…

Legionnaires Disease is usually contracted through inhaling water droplets suspended in the air that contain the bacteria Legionella.  In natural settings, Legionella rarely causes concerns, however in man-made settings, Legionella can grow if the water system is not properly maintained. In general, people do not spread Legionnaires’ Disease to other people.

The Portland Water District has recently conducted tests throughout the distribution system and found no indication of Legionella.  Chloramines, which is the secondary disinfectant used in Portland’s public water supply, is known to effectively kill bacteria. 

Legionella is the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease, which has been on the rise since 2000, though the exact number of cases of the disease is difficult to know since the symptoms can be similar to the common cold. Legionnaires’Disease actually can become a serious pneumonia (lung infection).

It may surprise you, but the answer is yes, if the refrigerator or any appliance has a filter, it needs to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s specifications. And here’s why.  These filters typically have carbon in them. Not only does the carbon filter out any sediment that may be present in the incoming water (this…