In 2024, the City of Portland began an ambitious transformation—one that would not only redefine how we manage water, sewers, and stormwater, but also reimagine what it means to serve the public equitably and sustainably. This transformation, known as “One Water,” was catalyzed by a convergence of vision, need, and opportunity: a shift to a new form of government, leadership support from former Mayor Ted Wheeler and current Mayor Keith Wilson, and a growing urgency to adapt to the pressures of climate change and affordability.
While the One Water concept was not new to Portland—we’ve long demonstrated leadership through landmark efforts like the Big Pipe and robust affordability programs—what’s new is our deliberate alignment of strategies across bureaus, funding mechanisms, and community priorities. This shift allows us to unify service delivery, deepen equity work, and make more resilient, integrated infrastructure decisions across the city.
A New Structure, A New Opportunity
Portland’s transition to a new government structure in 2025 provided a once-in-a-generation chance to dismantle silos and build a more coordinated public service model. By aligning the Portland Water Bureau, Bureau of Environmental Services, and Portland Bureau of Transportation under one Public Works Service Area, we created fertile ground for integrated capital planning, streamlined decision-making, and paved clearer pathways for community partnership. The One Water initiative emerged as a key pillar of this structural reform—one that connects infrastructure investment with public good.
We’re already seeing the benefits. Unified capital planning is helping us reduce infrastructure disruptions and stretch limited dollars further. Integrated stormwater strategies are enabling us to double down on green infrastructure and climate resilience. And through cross-bureau collaboration, we’re enhancing the way we serve frontline communities with targeted affordability programs and community-informed solutions.
Learning in Real Time
As the Executive Sponsor of Portland’s One Water initiative, I convened and led the citywide One Water Taskforce to assess our readiness, align our efforts, and shape a shared path forward. The task force brought together bureau leadership and city partners to evaluate how Portland could adopt and implement a One Water model tailored to our unique context.
In 2025, we took a significant step forward by initiating leadership integration between the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services—two historically independent utilities. We are moving toward a unified leadership model under a single utility director to better align our water, sewer, and stormwater efforts. This structure will increase transparency, reduce duplication, and support more cohesive capital planning, operations, and customer experience. While each bureau retains its specialized expertise, bringing them together under one executive leader reflects our deep commitment to One Water principles—not just in policy or programs but in how we lead and govern.
This work has been supported by facilitation from the US Water Alliance and Stantec, whose guidance helped us assess feasibility, align leadership, and navigate the complexity of utility integration.
We’re also building a robust governance and decision-making framework to anchor this work. Alignment at all levels—strategic, operational, and community-facing—is essential to sustain momentum and ensure accountability across bureaus.
In parallel, we are navigating cultural change with intention. The city is launching a Change Network to support employees during this transition, and we’ve already initiated a readiness survey and internal engagement plan to ensure that our workforce has the clarity, confidence, and support to move forward together. These change management tools are vital for fostering trust, surfacing ideas, and strengthening the foundation for a unified public works culture.
We’ve also come to realize that many One Water principles were already embedded in our work: resilience, equity, and efficiency. What we lacked was alignment. Through One Water, we’re moving from parallel efforts to a coordinated system that builds on collective strengths.
Equity and Affordability, Front and Center
Portland’s One Water work is deeply shaped by our participation in the US Water Alliance’s Water Equity Network, particularly the Affordability Taskforce. As we develop our 2025 – 2030 Portland Water Utilities Affordability Strategy—Water, Sewer, and Stormwater for All – Always—these national conversations have informed our thinking and sharpened our goals.
We’re building around five pillars:
- Equitable customer assistance programs
- Flexible billing and delinquency practices
- Cost containment and operational efficiency
- Affordable and sustainable rate design
- Stronger community partnerships
Our Smart Discount Program, launching as a pilot this fiscal year, has already attracted national attention. It automatically tailors discounts based on household need using existing data—removing application barriers while expanding access for vulnerable residents.
We’re also updating our Regulated Affordable Multifamily Assistance Program (RAMP), which directs $4.6 million in annual support to nonprofit-owned housing units. RAMP ensures tenants in these units benefit from utility assistance, even when they don’t hold individual water accounts—a critical fix in a city where multifamily households are often left out of direct affordability programming.
Climate resilience remains a throughline. Through the Water Utilities Climate Alliance (WUCA), the Portland Water Bureau helped develop the Framework for Advancing Equity through Climate Action in the Water Sector—a collaborative project with the US Water Alliance that outlines how utilities can institutionalize equity in climate strategies. We’re bringing this lens to our Unified Capital Improvement Program, embedding climate-informed decision-making in long-term infrastructure investments that prioritize community need and future risk.
Centering Community in Every Step
Partnerships with community organizations like Verde, SUMA, and the African American Alliance for Homeownership have reminded us that affordability is not just about rates—it’s about trust, relevance, and access. These relationships ensure our programs reflect real-world experiences and cultural context, and they guide how we reach those most impacted by cost, climate, and disconnection.
As Portland continues its transition into a more integrated and responsive government model, these community-centered partnerships and national collaborations will remain essential. Together, they help us build the connective tissue between technical excellence and public value.
The Road Ahead
Portland’s One Water vision is about more than merging departments or shifting policies. It’s about building a water future where no one is left behind—where the health of our people, neighborhoods, and natural environment is managed as one interconnected system.
We know we’re still early in this journey. But with strong leadership, a unified governance structure, a culture of transparency, and national allies like the US Water Alliance by our side, we are proud to help shape what’s next for equitable, climate-resilient water management in cities across the country.
