'Boil Water Notice' for Portland areas has ended

PORTLAND, Ore. - Residences and businesses west of the Willamette River now have drinkable tap water without someone boiling it first, according to a source from the Portland Water Bureau. 

Additional testing of drinking water has shown no further presence of bacterial contamination, said Jennie Day-Burget, a spokesperson for the bureau. Workers and residents in the impacted areas should flush their taps for 2 minutes or until the water runs cold before consuming the water for the first time.

Earlier this week, contamination was detected in Washington Park Reservoir 3 that serves west-side customers of the Portland Water Bureau, and the Palatine Hills, Valley View and Burlington water districts. That reservoir has been taken off-line and is being drained, which will take up to four days. 

A "Boil Water Notice" was issued by the Portland Water Bureau for areas west of the Willamette River on Saturday. Hospitals and elderly care centers were notified first of the boil-water requirement, followed by news media.

The reservoir will be tested, investigated for contamination, and cleaned before it is put back on line.

"The Portland Water Bureau thanks Portlanders for their cooperation and understanding during the mandatory 'Boil Water Notice,'" said Day-Burget in a prepared statement. "The Portland Water Bureau consulted closely with the State of Oregon Department of Human Services and the Multnomah County Health Department to provide the best possible protection to the public."

Portland Water Bureau authorities ask those reading this message to share this message with others who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).

KATU will be broadcasting live a 5 p.m. joint press conference of the Portland Water Bureau's test findings. Watch the results online now or at KATU Channel 2.