Water Division

The Water Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the city's water system, which consists of over 109 miles of water lines ranging from 4 to 36 inches in diameter. To maintain this system, the Water Division regularly inspects and services four reservoirs; each reservoir's control valve; the cathodic protection system (an electronic system that prevents reservoirs from rusting from the inside); all main line valves, air relief valves, pressure reducing/sustaining valves, and booster stations; and the telemetry system (SCADA) and its related electrical and mechanical equipment.

In addition, the Water Division regularly inspects, paints, and exercises all fire hydrants and fire hydrant valves; flushes all "dead end" lines; and inspects and tests all large meter installations. The division monitors and takes over 400 water samples to ensure our system is in compliance with Oregon State Health Division rules. The division operates the City's cross connection program (backflow prevention), which ensures that our water does not become contaminated and that it complies with city and state regulations.

This division of Operations is staffed by 1 Water Supervisor, 3 Utility Technician II and 1 Utility Technician I.

Expenditures in the Water Operating Fund are for the operation and maintenance of the City's water system. In calendar year 2007 average daily use of water in the City was 4.8 million gallons per day; peak usage in the City was 8.8 million gallons per day. Tualatin purchases its water from the City of Portland. This water comes from the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia Southshore wellfield systems which is an unfiltered system.