Why Our Work Is Not Done

Listen to this OPB interview with Portland Water Bureau administrator David Shaff  this morning.  He confirms that the variance announced yesterday can be easily revoked because the state will not attempt to distinguish between types of cryptosporidium.  MOST are not infectious to humans yet any detection of any type will count against us. He characterizes the conditions set by the state as "3 strikes and you're out."   Yet another reason why we must act quickly to change the LT2 rule now under review by the EPA.

http://stream2.opb.org:9000/tol/episodes/2012/0315.mp3

Relevant discussion starts at minute 35:19 

Please take a moment today to thank Senator Jeff Merkley for helping us get this far in our efforts to protect the Bull Run and affordable, pure water.  His dedication and hard work has made a world of difference and will continue to be critical. Call his office and leave a message for him with his great staff.  


Portland office:  503.326.3386
DC office:         202.224.3753
or email by visiting http://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/ 

Hurray! Bull Run variance secured!

Today the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that a variance has been approved.

Click here for OHA webpage on the subject.   Click here for Oregon Public Health Division Press Release.    Click here for the final Order.  Click here for coverage by The Oregonian.  Click here for Commissioner Randy Leonard's blog on the subject.

Huge thanks to each of you who have fought consistently to protect the Bull Run from pollution, contamination and human disturbance. You have also protected rate-payers, for now, from the unnecessary, huge expense of a new treatment plant.  Click here for a partial list of those who supported the variance request to the OHA.  Congratulations!

While we've made significant progress, our work is not over...

The state can revoke this variance with future detections of cryptosporidium. The only EPA- approved method for detection of cryptosporidium is notoriously faulty, and the rule itself is not based on sound science.  This is why it is still so important to secure a permanent change in the federal LT2 rule, now under review by the EPA.

We also await news from OHA on the request from the Portland Water Bureau and our diverse coalition for an extension of the timeline for unnecessary burial and construction of in-town reservoirs.   Stay tuned!