Water - Information on Cryptosporidium

Sandy has three water sources: Alder Creek, Brownell Springs and purchased water from the City of Portland’s Bull Run system. Water from Alder Creek is treated at the City’s filtration plant east of Sandy. Brownell Springs is a groundwater source and does not require treatment other than disinfection. During the summer months about one-third of your water comes from the Bull Run watershed and the rest from Alder Creek and Brownell Springs. During Fall, Winter and Spring about one-half of the water supply is from Bull Run. Generally, customers south of Hwy 26 and east of Langensand Road and customers north of Hwy 26 east of the west end of Vista Loop Drive do not receive any water from the Bull Run system (see map). Customers in the rest of the City receive a blend of water from all three sources. 

• On Monday, February 14th, 2022 water quality monitoring performed by Portland Water Bureau detected two Cryptosporidium oocysts in a 50 liter (about 13 gallons) sample taken at Bull Run Headworks. There have been no detections since then. The last detection prior to February 14th was on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022. At this time, there is no evidence of an increased health risk. Portland Water Bureau will be issuing a press release on this latest detection. Please click on the Portland Water Bureau information link below to learn more about the detection and the increased monitoring taking place.
• The City of Sandy will continue to monitor water quality reports in coordination with Portland Water Bureau and local health agencies.

Precautions customers can take

• You can use a filter. Make sure that it is labeled and certified to remove Cryptosporidium and is NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 rated. Look for the language “cyst reduction” or “cyst removal.” Reverse osmosis and carbon filters are the most common types of filters available. Make sure that the manufacturer states an “absolute” pore size of 1 micron or smaller. 
• People with severely weakened immune systems should seek specific advice from their health care providers about drinking water from the Bull Run source.

Portland Water Bureau

Your best source for the latest information on Cryptosporidium detections is here: www.portlandoregon.gov/water/cryptoresults . Customers with further questions regarding water quality can call the Water Line at 503-823-7525.