Bottled water is a big scam. Take some ordinary water that comes from the tap in some exotic locale, put it in a plastic bottle, slap on a trendy label with a catchy name, load it on a ship/train/truck and burn lots of fossil fuel transporting it to your local grocery in a location where you are already paying a pretty hefty monthly tab to get clean water from your tap. I can understand why someone would purchase bottled water in a city where the ozonated & highly mineral water comes from the tap - it tastes foul! I can't fathom what would possess anyone in Portland to waste their money on bottled water.

It amazing how there are so many bureaucrats who have to make up stuff to do or they would rot.
Yet even suggesting there job may not be needed is some insult.

Got to agree with Proton. The biggest reasons people say they drink bottled water is that its "cleaner" than tap. I think its well withing the Water Bureau's job to promote its product through negative advertising on its competitor.

I can't fathom what would possess anyone in Portland to waste their money on bottled water.

It doesn't taste like chlorine, which is a predominant flavor in Portland water.

But then, some air traveler may have tucked a few gallons of Jersey water in their carry-on and they need to be warned.

Stay safe is the word.

I can't imagine the New Jersey media (of which I was once a part) isn't all over this. The last place Jerseyans are going to hear about it is from the City of Portland Aragahn.

No, this is for Portlanders to read.

I think its well withing the Water Bureau's job to promote its product through negative advertising on its competitor

Considering that the average Portland water customer consumes 115 gallons per day total, that would have to be some heavy duty promotion to convince people to consume enough more to make a difference.

My father worked for the Ptld Water bureau for about 30 years, retiring in about 1990. He took me with him to work often when I was young, and I watched him and his crew repair the water main breaks. I saw what was inside those lines, some of them are the same lines that are still being used today. I drink bottled water knowing it really is no safer or cleaner than our own water. I just can't help myself after witnessing a few of those disgusting main line repairs. Most times with him at work resulted in happy memories, and I got to know Ptld better than most youngsters my age. This is a case where logic fails to work and I keep buying water that costs me more than gas. I know if my dad is looking down at me right now and reading this he is pissed. He loved Ptld water.

Gibby

As the days heat up, I'm sure the Water Bureau will switch on the wells, churn up some gunky water, and tell everyone to conserve the City's precious supplies.

In that case wouldn't it be better for our watershed to drink someone else's water (from a bottle)?

Hi Jack! Thanks for taking notice of this blog posting. I think it is actually an important post because I know that not all of our 50,000+ readers are local and many may, in fact, reside on the East coast or have friends/family who do -- I try to focus on not just water related news specific to Portland, but a variety of things related to the water industry. Plus, this is not necessarily "negative advertising" but simply an informational piece- we would be crazy to deny that there are many bottled water drinkers in our country and thus, I am including information for those people too. We recognize that bottled water has its time and place.

It doesn't taste like chlorine, which is a predominant flavor in Portland water.

While shaving this morning, we thought we might pass out from the Clorox-y aroma spewing from the faucet. [Gotta love that summertime well water!] Not one to let the opportunity go to waste, we did a load of whites in the bathroom sink instead.

Pablo,

We aren't running the wells right now.

With the exception of a week or so to make sure everything is still working as it should - we may not run them at all this summer. We think we have enough water in storage right now to get us through our seasonal drought. We have not even started drawdown yet (where more water is going out than is coming in).

Keep an eye for updates on our website: www.portlandonline.com/water/

David Shaff, Director
Portland Water Bureau

The chlorine is around all year long.

Oh. You got me.

David Shaft, Director

Jack,

Chlorine, ammonia and just a hint of sodium hydroxide to raise the pH.

David Shaff

What smells like money?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/29/AR2008062901872.html?nav=rss_email/components

We still have a few spots open for our Water Bureau Field Day, for those who want to know more about:

The Bull Run Watershed
Wells
Groundwater
Fountains
and chlorine, ammonia and just a hint of sodium hydroxide to raise the pH.

We've got guided bus tours, ride alongs with water crews, and a downtown walking tour of our decorative fountains.

For more info and to sign up, visit:
www.portlandonline.com/water/fieldday

Considering that the average Portland water customer consumes 115 gallons per day total

Somewhat misleading, as it includes large businesses such as restaurants, micro-breweries, commercial laundries, etc.

The per capita consumption for residential/small retail is 66 gallons per day.