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Don't miss out on another moment like this (from the East Portland Summer Arts Festival this past weekend). Summer is in full swing and you can catch many more Summer Free For All festivities, thanks to Portland Parks & Recreation: free movies, concerts, festivals, special events, and even fitness classes. We also thank Portland voters for supporting the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy, which provides the necessary funding to bring these free, welcoming events to communities all across the city.
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Turning water into data
Environmental Specialists like Thomas Krause test thousands of samples a year to make sure Portland’s drinking water is clean and safe.
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Last month the Portland Water Bureau released the latest Drinking Water Quality Report, which explains what’s in your water and how we keep it safe and flowing from our sources to your tap. The report compiles extensive data about the system that delivers more than 30 billion gallons of water through about 2,250 miles of pipes to almost 1 million people, clean and safe. That’s where field testers like Thomas Krause come in. Krause and the water quality team perform more than 11,000 tests per year to track over 200 potential contaminants in your drinking water. The results speak for themselves — Portland's water is something we can all be proud of.
What do field testers do, exactly? Portland has over 270 sampling stations throughout the distribution system. We go to the stations, collect the samples and generate the field data. We bring that back to the lab, where we run more tests. Basically we turn water into data.
What are you looking for? We collect data like pH, conductivity, chlorine, turbidity, total coliform bacteria—
Wait, I don’t know what any of that stuff is. What is turbidity? Turbidity is the clarity of the water.
Does that affect people’s health? No, it doesn’t. It’s more an aesthetic issue. It’s when your water looks cloudy, or even milky. Turbidity can be caused by sediment in the water. It’s also caused when cold water comes into a warm structure. The cold water carries more dissolved oxygen. When it warms up, it releases the oxygen. Those tiny bubbles give it that cloudy look. They dissipate after a few seconds.
What about total coliform? Everything is covered in coliforms. They’re bacteria. They’re on your body, inside and out. Most of them are not bad. But they include E. coli—that’s the one that makes you sick. When we test for total coliform, it includes everything. If you test it and there's no coliforms present, that means there's no E. coli. However, if you test it and you get a TC positive, there's coliforms present. We do a further test to make sure that it's not E. coli.
How did you get into this line of work? After I graduated high school, I spent about 10 years playing bass guitar in punk rock bands. Toured the country, went to all 50 states. Then came a time when I was ready for a change. So I went to Portland Community College to figure out what I wanted to do next. I was taking the general classes. I'd always been interested in science and being outdoors. I kind of homed in on environmental science. I graduated from PCC and transferred to Portland State University where I eventually graduated with a bachelor's in environmental science.
From punk rock to environmental science? I wasn't expecting that. Let me tell you, being in a DIY punk band is not easy. I learned a lot. I learned how to collaborate with people and communicate with people. And I developed a work ethic because you’ve got to work to make things happen. I was able to take that and...
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CityFleet recently added a little sunshine to its electric vehicle (EV) charging capacity with the addition of three BEAM Global EV ARC™ 2020 solar-powered mobile charging stations. Purchased with funding from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s (PCEF), these units offer off-grid charging and can double as mobile hubs for emergency preparedness and energy-resilience. The addition continues Portland’s legacy of leadership in innovative climate solutions and supports CityFleet’s long-term goal of a net-zero carbon fleet by 2050.
Portland Housing Bureau’s partners at REACH CDC can now break ground on 73Foster, a new 64-unit affordable housing project. Funded by the Metro Housing Bond, 73Foster will include 22 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for those exiting homelessness. It is expected to open in late 2026.
Starting July 1, 2025, the Oregon Department of Transportation will take over management of camp reporting and removal along highway and freeway corridors in the city limits. The public should be prepared for changes in how to report and what to expect.
The N/NE Neighborhood Housing Strategy has opened 563 affordable rental units and 78 affordable homeownership units, created 127 new homeowners, and provided nearly 1,300 home repair grants and loans to help prevent displacement. The Strategy is a Portland Housing Bureau initiative to address a legacy of displacement.
Increased staffing, public education, and a new fireworks reporting tool reduced calls to 911, speeding response times and helping dispatchers focus on emergency calls. Call answer times on July 4th averaged 8 seconds this year, down from 26 seconds last year.
City Auditor Simone Rede released the list of audits her Office plans to begin or complete in the coming fiscal year. Special thanks to the community members, City employees and City officials who shared audit topic ideas. Read the full audit schedule for 2025-26.
Portland is weighing the impact of federal mandates on its equity programs, as compliance becomes a condition for receiving vital grant funding that supports core city services.
Data spotlight
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The city's infrastructure is built to last, but it doesn't last forever. In April, a sinkhole opened up on SW 17th Avenue in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. The sinkhole was caused by the failure of a section of the Tanner Trunk sewer, which was built in 1889. This sewer line has a diameter of 42 inches (big enough for a golf club) and is made entirely out of bricks. Crews from the Bureau of Environmental Services repaired the sinkhole and replaced a 200-foot section of sewer last month.
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The summer heat and swim season are here! ☀️While many of us can't wait to get in the water to cool off in beautiful natural waterways and streams, a reminder that even calm waters can hide dangers.
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Join Rose City Self-Defense and other community partners this summer for free self-defense classes and camps for kids and teens (ages 11 and up):
2-part series: Mondays August 4th and 11th from 5:00 to 7:00
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Can’t remember when to put the trash out? There’s an app for that! Download the City’s free Portland Garbage Day app for weekly, day-before reminders. You’ll also get reminders about holiday delays and weather disruptions. If the app’s not for you, we also offer email, text, and phone call reminders as well as built-in calendar reminders.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- Environmental Specialist – Generalist
- Home Water Repair Leak Coordinator (Coordinator II – CPPW)
- People Operations Assistant (CSA II)
Talent Pool openings
We're collecting names of people who are interested in working future part-time or seasonal jobs with Portland Parks. This doesn’t mean there’s a job open right now, but we’re happy you’re interested! We might not contact you right away. When jobs do open, we will connect you if you're selected for an interview.
- Recreation Employment – Community Centers (Ages 15+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – Fitness (Ages 18+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – Inclusive Recreation (Ages 18+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – Music and Arts Centers (Ages 16+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – SUN Community Schools (Ages 15+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – TeenForce Program (Ages 15+) - Talent Pool
- Recreation Employment – Tennis Center (Ages 15+) - Talent Pool
How to Apply Session
Thursday July 17th, 2025 – 12:30 PM – 2PM – Virtual Session
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Serve on a board or committee
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Apply Today to Join the N/NE Oversight Committee
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Give us your feedback
A package of zoning code updates that aim to make it easier to understand and implement Portland’s zoning code has been released for public review. Give your feedback by Friday, July 18.
Give feedback on the proposed rules for the Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project. Submit written testimony or give verbal testimony at the Planning Commission Hearing on Tuesday, July 22.
Portland, Gresham, and Multnomah County are developing a housing action plan. We want your input. Weigh in by August 1.
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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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Community events in Portland parks
Volunteer events
For Portland Parks & Recreation planting and park clean up volunteer events, check the volunteer event filter.
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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
A special thank you to everyone who came out to support our athletes. Your generosity and enthusiasm mean the world as they prepare to head to the state games. Let’s continue to cheer them on and build a more inclusive community—together.
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How're we doing?
How well do you like Rose City Connection? How could we make it better? Take our reader survey and give us some feedback.
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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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