Portland’s Bull Run Water Filtration Plant Construction Resumes Amid Land Use Dispute Resolution

Project Background and Delay

Portland’s Water Bureau is set to resume construction on the $2 billion Bull Run water filtration plant after a pause caused by a land use dispute in February 2025. Construction initially began in summer 2024 but was delayed when Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) sent a conditional land-use permit decision back to Multnomah County planning officials due to insufficient evaluation of impacts on natural resources.

Land Use Board of Appeals Decision

In a detailed 130-page decision, LUBA ruled that the county’s definition of impacts to “natural resources” had not been sufficiently evaluated. This ruling followed an appeal by a coalition of residents, farm, and land conservation groups including 1000 Friends of Oregon and the Multnomah County Farm Bureau. These groups argued that the city had not adequately justified building on land zoned for agricultural use.

Multnomah County Planning Officials’ Conclusion

Following a public hearing and extensive written and oral comments, Multnomah County planning officials concluded that the project will “not adversely affect any category of natural resources” and approved the project to move forward. Priya Dhanapal, Deputy City Administrator for Portland Public Works, stated that the public land use process provided multiple opportunities for opponents to be heard and that the key criteria for the project were met.

Construction Timeline and Workforce Transition

• Interim Water Bureau Director Quisha Light indicated that while some workers will return to the site soon, full construction resumption is expected by August 1, 2025.
• The transition involves reallocating crews from other projects back to the Bull Run site.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The Bull Run water filtration plant is critical for providing safe drinking water to nearly 1 million residents in the Portland metro area. The facility aims to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations to reduce contaminants such as cryptosporidium, a fecal contaminant originating from wildlife in the Bull Run Watershed.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The project’s environmental review process emphasized the protection of natural resources and agricultural land, reflecting commitments to sustainable land use and conservation. The resolution of the land use dispute demonstrates a balance between infrastructure development and ecosystem preservation.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The filtration plant will also mitigate risks from extreme wildfires by filtering ash, leaves, and sediment that could contaminate water supplies, thus enhancing the city’s resilience to climate-related hazards.

Project Challenges and Financial Implications

Cost Escalation

1. Initial project estimates in 2017 were approximately $500 million.
2. Current costs have escalated to over $2 billion.
3. During the construction pause, approximately $80 million was spent on project activities including site security, road maintenance, and equipment purchases.

Uncertainty in Cost Breakdown

It remains unclear how much of the $80 million was planned expenditure versus unplanned costs due to the delay. The Water Bureau plans to provide a detailed cost breakdown to the Portland City Council in fall 2025.

Deadlines and Regulatory Compliance

• The facility must be operational by September 30, 2027, to comply with EPA limits on cryptosporidium.
• Missing the deadline could result in federal fines.
• Potential discussions with regulators regarding deadline extensions are anticipated.
• Tariffs on essential materials such as steel may increase short-term construction costs.

Conclusion

The resumption of the Bull Run water filtration plant construction marks a significant step toward achieving sustainable water management in Portland, aligned with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The project balances infrastructure development with environmental stewardship and climate resilience, ensuring safe and sustainable water access for the community while protecting natural resources.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article discusses the construction of a water filtration plant to ensure safe drinking water for nearly 1 million residents, directly linking to SDG 6.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The project aims to improve urban infrastructure by providing clean water, which is essential for sustainable cities.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The land use dispute and concerns about impacts on natural resources and agricultural land relate to the protection and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The filtration plant is designed to handle contaminants from wildfires, linking to climate resilience and adaptation efforts.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 6 Indicators
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (Indicator 6.1.1) – implied by the goal to provide filtered water to nearly 1 million residents.
   • Proportion of wastewater safely treated (Indicator 6.3.1) – implied through the filtration plant’s role in removing contaminants like cryptosporidium and wildfire ash.
2. SDG 15 Indicators
   • Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas (Indicator 15.1.1) – implied by the land use dispute focusing on natural resource impacts.
   • Land degradation and restoration status (Indicator 15.3.1) – implied by concerns over building on agricultural land and natural resource evaluation.
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (Indicator 13.1.1) – indirectly linked through wildfire impact mitigation on water quality.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: opb.org