Your Water

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:

Bull Run LakePortland 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
  • Rainwater is the primary source of water for the Bull Run portion

Water Transmission

  • Water from Portland is transmitted through a conduit from the source by gravity to the District
  • Water is provided to the District through the Washington County Supply Line. TVWD owns 42.3 MGD capacity. 

History

  • 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.
  • The Columbia South Shore Wellfield was first used in 1985.
  • In July 2006, TVWD and the Portland Water Bureau entered into an agreement for the Bureau to supply water to TVWD

Additional Information 


Barney ReservoirJoint 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 It is then withdrawn and filtered through the JWC water treatment plant.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

  • Jointly owned by TVWD and the Cities of Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove and Tigard
  • Rainwater is the primary source

Water Treatment and Transmission

  • The JWC Water Treatment Plant produces 75 MGD, of which TVWD owns 10 MGD treatment capacity.
  • To distribute its water, the JWC owns a pumping plant and 42” and 72” transmission mains.

History

  • Created in 1976 as an intergovernmental agreement between the Cities of Hillsboro and Forest Grove
  • TVWD joined in 1994

Additional Information 


Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project

TVWD is participating in the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project (TBWSP) as the primary source of water to meet water needs for the next 50 years. For more information about this project and how TVWD is planning for the future, visit our Long Term Water Supplies Web Page.