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Making a splash
Meet Drippy the Water Drop, the bubbly ambassador for the Portland Water Bureau.
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The numbers are impressive. 2,250 miles of pipes. 54 tanks and covered reservoirs. And enough water to fill up 144 Olympic-size swimming pools every single day. Who keeps it flowing? That's right, Drippy the Water Drop (pictured above, lending a refreshing hand with the sign). Always brimming with enthusiasm, Drippy personifies the confidence and dedication that helps the Portland Water Bureau deliver around 30 billion gallons of water to nearly 1 million people year in, year out. With the long-awaited grand opening of the Washington Park Reservoir site right around the corner, we caught up with Drippy to find out more about the call of the pipes.
How long have you been working at Water?
As a drop of water, I’m older than the Portland Water Bureau itself. In other words, you could say I’m an OG. I’ve been working at the bureau since we first built Portland’s gravity powered water system in the 1890s! After spending over 100 years behind the scenes, I released my debut hit single “H2O” last summer.
What does your workday look like?
I start each day at one of my two homes, the Bull Run Watershed or the Columbia South Shore Well Field. Then, I get a nice spa treatment at our water treatment facilities. That’s how I maintain this high-quality, dewy body.
I have over 600 coworkers constantly working to maintain and improve my water system. So, I never run out of people to bother… uh, I mean help. I’m totally helping.
Where can your fans find you next?
And who knows, maybe I’ll be coming soon to a water glass near you. Stay hydrated!
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 Photo: Leah Bauer, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Bugwood.org
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The emerald ash borer beetle has killed millions of ash trees across the country, and now it’s invading Oregon. The metallic green beetle is expected to kill nearly all of the ash trees across the state. There’s little hope of stopping the invasion, but there are some ways to slow the spread of this pest. OPB tells the story with help from City biologist Dominic Maze.
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Some 78 people struggling with addiction opted to go to the new Pathway Center to work on their recovery, rather than go to jail. Last week the Portland Police launched a livability mission in several downtown locations with high criminal activity. Suspected drug users who were eligible for deflection (found with small amounts of drugs, no other crimes) were given a choice: go to the Pathway Center, or face arrest. Officers also made more than 100 arrests and recovered drugs, cash, and stolen merchandise.
Facing an historic shortfall, the Portland City Council approved a preliminary budget focused on curbing homelessness, cutting costs and increasing revenue. But it’s not over yet. The council saved several key questions for its next budget session on June 11.
Longtime public safety leader Bob Cozzie will serve as Portland’s interim deputy city administrator for public safety starting June 16. The position oversees Portland’s Public Safety Service Area, including police, fire, 911, emergency management, Portland Street Response, and other programs.
The City of Portland has updated its citation procedure for Accessory Short-term Rentals (ASTRs), which includes increasing permitting fees and citation fines associated with ASTRs, adjusting them for rises in inflation. We are also partnering with short-term rental platforms and operators to amplify ongoing enforcement efforts, to ensure that all operators in Portland are aware of existing residency requirements for ASTRs and the fines associated with violating these and other rules.
Data spotlight
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Number of free meals served at parks, community centers, school programs, and through partner organizations last year. Too many Portlanders struggle with food insecurity. More than half of Portland’s school-age children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Without meals at school, summer becomes the time when nearly 50,000 Portland kids face hunger daily. To serve these meals, Portland Parks & Recreation teams up with local school districts including Portland, Centennial, David Douglas and Parkrose. Learn more at the City's
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This summer, Safe Blocks invites you to bring the party to your neighborhood! From August 1 through August 14, 2025, neighbors all across Portland will be hosting block parties to connect, celebrate, and build stronger, safer communities. Registration is open now through June 27, 2025.
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Join Rose City Self-Defense and other community partners this summer for a free self-defense workshop, classes and camps for kids and teens (ages 11 and up):
- Free May 31 workshop at Team Quest MMA and Fitness. Parents welcome.
- 2-part series: Saturdays, June 7th and 14th
- Summer Camps: June 16th to 19th, July 7th to 10th, July 14th to 17th
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Report a campsite for cleanup in Portland to PDX311 by calling 3-1-1 or reporting online at Portland.gov/Report. All reported locations are assessed by the Impact Reduction Program. Track the status of existing reports on the program’s data dashboard. If you have been impacted by a campsite removal, you can call 3-1-1 to help retrieve property or report any problems with campsite removal crews. If you are experiencing homelessness, call 3-1-1 to connect with a City Street Outreach Worker or call 2-1-1 for resource referrals, hygiene access options, and other opportunities.
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The Portland Rose Festival needs your help to make the magic happen safely. Be the eyes and ears of the parade—help manage street closures, guide guests, and support the Rose Festival’s safety team during the CareOregon Starlight Parade on May 31, the Fred Meyer Junior Parade on June 4, and the Grand Floral Parade on June 7.
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The 2025 Attitude & Awareness Survey is open through June 1. TriMet uses feedback from this annual survey to evaluate its performance and identify areas of improvement. Scan the QR code or take the survey at this link.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee
- Billing Department Supervisor (Supervisor I – E)
- Carpentry and Painting Supervisor (Maintenance Supervisor I - E)
- Engineering Supervisor – Project Planning
- Facilities Maintenance Technician
- Lateral 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee
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Serve on a board or committee
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Do you live, work, or play in East Portland? Portland Housing Bureau and Prosper Portland are setting up Community Leadership Committees to help develop action plans for three Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts - 82nd Ave, Sumner-Parkrose-Argay-Columbia Corridor, and East 205.
Deadline extended to June 16
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Give us your feedback
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Whether you bike or not, the City of Portland wants to understand what messages could make it easier for you and your fellow Portlanders to say yes to biking around the city. Take our short, anonymous 10-minute survey to share your perspective. It will help us shape our city’s transportation future and how best to reach more community members. The survey is open now through Sunday, June 15.
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The Portland City Auditor is inviting community members and City employees to help shape our audit priorities for the coming year. Each year, our Audit Services Division selects topics for performance audits that assess how City government is working and where it can do better to be efficient, effective, and equitable. We want to hear from Portlanders across all neighborhoods and communities. Please fill out our survey to let us know about your priorities.
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Connect with other community, immigrant, and cultural groups in Portland to discuss gun violence and community safety. The Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group commenced in June 2021 in response to the gun violence crisis in Portland to work with the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) and assist with recommendations to reduce gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response. Zoom meeting May 29
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
The Portland Police Bureau hosted the annual Police Memorial Ceremony last week. This year, a new name was added to the memorial wall. Patrolman Andrew Laugeson was added after it was found he died in the line of duty in 1917.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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