Water Sources
Where TVWD Gets Your Water
TVWD has a clean, quality water supply. Between July 2006-June 2007, we supplied a total of about 8.5 billion gallons of water, an average of 23.4 million gallons of water per day. This ranged from a minimum of 12.4 million gallons to a maximum of 50.7 million gallons per day.
TVWD receives water from two sources:
Portland Water Bureau
Water from the Portland Water Bureau primarily comes from the Bull Run watershed and is piped to a 50-million gallon storage reservoir on Powell Butte, located on the east side of Portland. Currently, chlorine and ammonia are added to the water to disinfect it to meet federal drinking water standards. It is also adjusted for pH to make the water less corrosive to pipes.
The Portland Water Bureau also uses the Columbia South Shore Wellfield to augment the Bull Run supply. Drawn from 25 wells and four aquifers, it is capable of producing close to 100 million gallons per day (MGD).
General Information
- Owned by the Portland Water Bureau
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Rainwater is the primary source of water for the Bull Run portion
Water Transmission
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Water from Portland is transmitted through a conduit from the source by gravity to the District
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Water is provided to the District through the Washington County Supply Line. TVWD owns 42.3 MGD capacity.
History
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Bull Run was first used in Portland in 1895 and first used by TVWD in 1938. The Metzger area first used the Bull Run in 1924.
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The Columbia South Shore Wellfield was first used in 1985.
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In July 2006, TVWD and the Portland Water Bureau entered into an agreement for the Bureau to supply water to TVWD
Additional Information
Joint Water Commission
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) is comprised of water from Hagg Lake (Scoggins Reservoir) and the Barney Reservoir released into the upper portion of the Tualatin River. When flows are available, water from the Tualatin River is used. It is then withdrawn and filtered through the JWC water treatment plant. Chlorine and pH adjustments are added before leaving the plant.
General Information
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Jointly owned by TVWD and the Cities of Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove and Tigard
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Rainwater is the primary source
Water Treatment and Transmission
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The JWC Water Treatment Plant produces 75 MGD, of which TVWD owns 10 MGD treatment capacity.
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To distribute its water, the JWC owns a pumping plant and 42" and 72" transmission mains.
History
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Created in 1976 as an intergovernmental agreement between the Cities of Hillsboro and Forest Grove
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TVWD joined in 1994
Additional Information
Grabhorn Aquifer Storage and Recovery
During the winter, when water supplies were plentiful, TVWD stored more than 300 million gallons (MG) of treated drinking water underground in the aquifer surrounding the Grabhorn Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well. During the summer, the stored water was pumped from the well to augment other sources to help meet peak-summer water demands. This ASR is able to supply our District 3 million gallons a day for approximately 90-100 days.
The Grabhorn ASR well is capable of storing in excess of 350 MG of treated water. In comparison, the combined total capacity of TVWD's existing 25 storage reservoirs is about 64 MG. This seasonal supply helps meet peak-summer water demands and reduce the District's cost for purchased water.
General Information
- Owend by TVWD
- Located in the Cooper Mountain area
History
- Built in 2007
Additional Information
Future Water Supply
Visit TVWD's Future Water Supply for more information on the District's plans to meet future water demands.