Bull Run Filtration Project to resume construction
On Monday, June 23, Multnomah County posted the hearings officer’s decision, reapproving the earlier land use approval of the Portland Water Bureau’s drinking water filtration facility and pipelines in East Multnomah County. The decision is expected to be final when mailed to interested parties.
This decision means the City of Portland can restart construction as soon as possible. It ends costly delays for this project, which is critical for public health and the regional economy that depends on safe and reliable water.
Project benefits include:
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Protecting public health with proven technology to remove Cryptosporidium and other contaminants that can make people sick, meeting mandatory state and federal requirements.
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Safeguarding against wildfires, landslides, flooding, and other natural disasters so the City can safely serve Bull Run water during and after any of these events.
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Providing earthquake resilience with facilities and pipelines built to the latest seismic standards to help ensure water will be available soon after a large earthquake.
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Reducing cancer-causing disinfection byproducts by removing organic materials that lead to their formation.
In January 2025, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) remanded (sent back to Multnomah County) the County’s earlier land use approval. The County was asked to reconsider a single question related to the definition of “natural resources” in the Multnomah County Code.
In April, Multnomah County held a public hearing presided over by the hearings officer. The comprehensive public land use process provided the Portland Water Bureau and project opponents multiple opportunities to be heard, resulting in extensive written and public comments.
The decision considers natural resources and concludes that the project will “not adversely affect any category of natural resources”—and therefore can proceed. The hearings officer decision imposed nine new or revised Conditions of Approval to further protect and improve wildlife habitat and provide water quality improvements to Johnson Creek.
With the reapproval of the land use permits, the City of Portland will put hundreds of construction professionals back to work to complete these critical water system improvements.
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