Last mentioned: Feb 20, 2026
Cost Overrun Report
Official reports confirm that land-use delays have triggered significant project cost increases.
Cost Overrun Announcement
PWB reports a $200M increase linked directly to land-use delays.
Permit Stalemate
Multnomah County delays key land-use permits following local appeals.
Permit Stagnation
Regulatory reviews in Multnomah County extend beyond the anticipated 120-day window.
Permit Filing
Portland Water Bureau submits formal land-use permit applications to Multnomah County.
Cost Revision
Project costs balloon to $2.1 billion due to inflation and design changes.
EPA Mandate
The EPA issues a mandate for Portland to filter its Bull Run water supply.
Portland Compliance Agreement
Portland Water Bureau agrees to build a filtration plant after Cryptosporidium detections.
EPA Mandate
EPA issues the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2).
The Portland Water Bureau has reported a significant budget increase for the Bull Run Filtration Plant, citing protracted land use disputes in Multnomah County. The delay threatens the project's 2027 federal compliance deadline and will likely result in further rate hikes for Portland water customers.
A significant land-use delay has led to substantial cost overruns for the Bull Run Filtration Plant project in Portland. This development highlights the growing challenges of large-scale infrastructure procurement and the logistical complexities of municipal water security projects.