In this issue

• Hello from the City: Making a splash
• News: Beetles invade; Budget process
• Opportunities: Party on, Portland!
• Make your voice heard: Rank your favorite bicycle messages
• Events: Community Music Center recitals
• Your Portland Moment: Police Memorial Ceremony

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. 

From there, I go with the flow. I view our water system’s 2,250 miles of pipe as my personal water slide. Some days I like to chill in the underground reservoirs at Powell Butte or Washington Park. Other days, I stop by a water quality sampling station or visit my friends at the water quality lab. (I’m pretty proactive about my health.) You might catch me helping replace a water main or surfing a hydrant flushing wave. 

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? 

Catch me celebrating the opening of the Washington Park Reservoir site with the Public Works fam on June 14! When I’m not busy staring at myself in one of the new reflecting pools, I’ll be available for selfies. Be there or be square! Check out portland.gov/resopening for all the deets.  

And who knows, maybe I’ll be coming soon to a water glass near you. Stay hydrated! 

Read the rest of our interview with Drippy at Making a splash.

Invasive beetle attacks Oregon's native ash trees  

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.

Drug users choose recovery over jail, with nudge from police 

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. 

 

City Council approves $8.5 billion preliminary budget 

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. 

 

Portland names interim deputy city administrator for public safety 

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.

 

• 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 

 

Not sure what district you’re in?  

Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors. 

Police Bureau hosts Police Memorial Ceremony; adds officer's name to memorial wall 

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.