Low levels of disease-causing parasite found in Portland water supply - Fox 12 Oregon
Low levels of disease-causing parasite found in Portland water supply
Health officials say no cause for extra precautions at this time
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Low levels of a disease-causing parasite was found in the Portland water supply this week as part of routine monitoring for the microorganism, according to the Portland Water Bureau on Friday.
Public health officials have determined that people do not need to take any extra precautions at this time, Portland officials said.
Bull Run watershed is Portland’s primary source of drinking water.
Since 2017, the city has monitored the water for Cryptosporidium, because while the Portland Water Bureau is required to treat for the organism, it is not yet equipped to do so. Portland is working with the Oregon Health Authority to install a filter system by 2027. Until then, Portland is using “interim measures” to protect the water source and routine monitoring to protect public health, officials said.
In the 50 liters sampled each day from May 5 to May 8, one Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in each of the samples collected on May 7 and May 8. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the samples collected on May 5 and May 6.
The last time Cryptosporidium was detected in the Bull Run Watershed intake was on April 22.
Cryptosporidium can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. People with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease.
The Environmental Protection Agency advises that people who are immunocompromised and receive their drinking water from the Bull Run Watershed consult with their healthcare professional about how safe it is for them to drink the tap water.
Water districts that receive all or part of their drinking water supply from Bull Run: The Portland Water Bureau and Burlington, City of Gresham, City of Sandy, City of Tualatin, Green Valley, GNR, Hideaway Hills, Lake Grove, Lorna Domestic Water, Lusted, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Rockwood, Skyview Acres, Tualatin Valley, Two Rivers, Valley View and West Slope Water Districts.
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