Trusted Portland
water experts
Areas served
- Multnomah County
- Washington County
- Clackamas County
- Columbia County
- Yamhill County
- Marion County
- Polk County
- Clark County
- Cowlitz County
- Skamania County
- Lewis County
Bottleless dispensers fit for any business.
Bottleless water coolers
Offer a more sustainable solution for cleaner, better-tasting water on demand.
Ice
machines
Fast, efficient, and reliable ice and water machines with advanced filtration.
Sparkling water dispensers
Bottomless bubbles with built-in filtration for your modern workplace.
Filtered coffee brewers
Better water makes better coffee. Give your people great-tasting coffee from best-in-class brewers.
Portland water quality throughout the years
Today, The Bull Run Watershed, located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, provides clean drinking water to a quarter of Oregon’s population. Portland groundwater supply provides drinking water from 25 active wells located in three different aquifers which can produce up to 80 million gallons of water per day.
According to a recent Portland Water Quality report, Portland drinking water undergoes a 3-step treatment process: 1) Chlorine, added for disinfection. 2) Ammonia, added to form chloramines, 3) Sodium hydroxide, added to increase pH of the water and reduce corrosion of plumbing materials.
The water from these sources travels through above ground pipes to concrete reservoirs and tanks throughout the city, some of which date from the early 1900s! The raw water from Bull Run Watershed is not filtered before distribution and has several naturally occurring contaminants, like sediment and bacteria, as well as the above-mentioned added contaminants like chlorine, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide.
Pioneers William Overton and Asa Lovejoy discovered the site for Portland on an 1840s canoe expedition. By 1862, residents recognized that private wells wouldn’t suffice to sustain the growing population. So, they established a system to pipe water to residents from Carruthers Creek, Balch Creek, and Willamette River. By 1886, waste from upstream factories and towns caused a pollution crisis. City planners set about creating a gravity-flow system from Bull Run River and the surrounding watershed, which would provide enough drinking water for years to come.
Once city officials had established an abundant source from the Bull Run River, they turned their attention to protecting the Portland water supply from contamination from the local logging industry. The Forest Reserve Act of 1891 was enacted to prohibit settlement in the 142,000-acre Bull Run National Forest, which surrounds The Bull Run River. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law the Bull Run Trespass Act to further protect the reserve and water supply.
Lower your water costs
Culligan Quench bottleless water coolers can hydrate your entire staff while saving you money. See how much you can save by going bottleless.
How did we calculate this estimate? Learn about our methodology, assumptions, and data sources.
| Bottleless water cooler rental | Jug delivery | Bottled water delivery | Premium bottled water |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Recommended products
Use the calculator and we’ll recommend a few products here that will fit your needs!
Get your free estimate today.
Talk to an Portland Culligan Quench water expert to find the best water solution for your space.
Culligan Quench filtration solutions.
Backed by 85 years of Culligan expertise, Culligan Quench has focused exclusively on providing businesses with the highest quality filtered water. This commitment to doing one thing well has made us the trusted water authority for over 75% of the Fortune 500. We offer the best bottleless water coolers, ice machines, sparkling water dispensers, and coffee brewers to fit any workplace. No matter your location, company size, or industry, we have a filtered water solution that is right for you
Play videoCulligan Quench
of Portland
Proudly providing businesses with clean, filtered drinking water in the greater Portland Metro Area.
| Mon: | 8 AM – 8PM |
| Tues: | 8 AM – 8PM |
| Wed: | 8 AM – 8PM |
| Thur: | 8 AM – 8PM |
| Fri: | 8 AM – 8PM |
| Sat: | Closed |
| Sun: | Closed |
Frequently asked questions
Is Portland tap water safe to drink?
Yes, tap water in Portland, Oregon, is generally safe to drink. It’s sourced from groundwater systems and the Bull Run Watershed. The local government operates programs to help protect the integrity of these water sources. It also tests the water as it’s processed from the source to taps across the city.
According to Portland’s city website, teams collect an average of 90 water samples every week and conduct around 50,000 total lab tests annually on the water supply. The city tests for more than 200 contaminants yearly to help ensure safe water.
Can you drink tap water in Portland?
While you can drink the tap water in some parts of Portland, in some buildings, older or problematic plumbing could lead to contaminants. Storms and flooding can also cause temporary issues with drinking water. While the city adds sodium hydroxide to the water to help minimize lead leaching in older pipes, businesses can add safeguards for their employees. That might include bottleless water coolers and ice machines that ensure clean, filtered water for refreshments.
Water you can trust. From experts you can trust.
Over 120,000 companies, big and small, trust Culligan Quench for cleaner, safer, and great-tasting water.
