By SUE PIAZZA
Gresham City Councilor, mayoral candidate
Water is something most of us rarely think about, until it changed!
Gresham’s transition from Bull Run water to groundwater has certainly started a conversation. Our water is safe and regularly tested, but it is different. Groundwater naturally contains more minerals, including calcium, magnesium and silica. Bull Run water was treated with chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, while our groundwater system uses free chlorine.
Noticeable differences
For some of us, those differences are noticeable.
I’ve heard concerns about taste and smell, hard-water spots on cars and shower doors, mineral buildup, appliances and the cost of filters or water softeners. I’ve also heard an important question: What, if anything, can we do to make the experience better?
That’s why I asked the city to hold a listening session so residents could learn more, ask questions and share their experiences. That became the City’s virtual water session, with approximately 150 people participating. I then held one of my in-person “You Speak, I Listen” community conversations at Red Sunset Park, where another 57 people joined me.
I appreciate everyone who participated. People shared frustrations, but they also brought thoughtful questions, experiences and ideas.
I’ve now taken what we heard back to City Hall. Our water professionals are working on answers to some important questions: Can anything reasonably be adjusted at the city level to improve taste or chlorine odor? Could well blending make a difference? Can anything be done about hardness or silica? What would those options cost, and would they make enough of a difference to justify the expense?
There may be things we can change and things we cannot. But we need to ask the questions and understand our options.
Going back not a realistic solution
Going back to Bull Run isn’t a realistic solution. Gresham made the decision in 2020 to develop our groundwater system with Rockwood Water People’s Utility District as Portland faced the enormous cost of its required Bull Run filtration project. Our job now is to make the system we have work as well as possible for our community.
There are things you can do at home, too. Carbon filters may help with taste or chlorine odor. Water softeners address hardness and scale. Reverse osmosis can be an option for drinking and cooking water. Simple steps such as microfiber towels, drying surfaces before water evaporates and regular appliance descaling can also help.
I’ve given the questions, concerns and ideas I’ve heard to the city, and staff are working to come back with answers about what may be possible at the city level.
If you’re experiencing a specific water issue that seems unusual or unacceptable, please contact the city so staff can help determine what’s happening at your home:
Check the city website for more information and updates about water. ◼︎
Sue Piazza has been a Gresham City Councilor since 2021 and is a candidate for Gresham Mayor in November.