2019 watershed map and water info graphic newberg

The City of Newberg owns and operates a "wellfield" where water is pumped from an underground aquifer located south of the Willamette River. This water source is part of the greater Chehalem Watershed.  A natural system bringing rain water from the surrounding hills to the underground aquifer. 

There are restrictions on how surrounding land is used to protect underground water integrity. 2 separate pipelines are used to transport the raw water to the treatment plant.  This provides Newberg with 100% of its water supply. 

The City operates 1 spring, Otis Spring, which is not connected to the drinking water system. It is currently used for irrigation by Chehalem Park and Recreation District at the Chehalem Glen Golf Course.

In July 2016 Chehalem Springs Water Assoc. took over ownership of other area springs and contracts with Hiland Water to manage, bill and maintain that system. 

Why treat "raw" water at all? 

The "raw" water from the aquifer is safe to drink however, naturally occurring Iron and Manganese affects taste and color. The Water Treatment Plant filters the water and adds sodium hydroxide to raise the PH levels that prevents leaching of lead and copper from indoor plumbing.

The City is required to disinfect the water to ensure it remains safe while it travels through the System. Chlorine is added at 1 ppm to ensure disinfection and chlorine residual tests are conducted throughout the system weekly. 

 In an emergency the City has the following in place:

  • 3 Four million gallon reserviors use gravity to deliver to the distribution system and provide a 3-5 day water supply
  • 14 Portable water purification units that can be used with or without a generator and can be stationed all over the city
  • 2 separate pipelines from the wellfield - If one line is damaged the other can continue to supply water

To learn more about our Ground Water Supply or the different water sources of surrounding communites visit this link from the regional Water Consortium. 

 

 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

inside a 4 millon gallon resevior 2016
Graphic of Water Reservior Mixing
Installing well 9 at the Wellfield 2016