Portland’s voter-approved government transition created an opportunity to coordinate drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services more closely. The City of Portland engaged our Strategic Advisory Services team, alongside the US Water Alliance and NEX Strategies, to assess how the One Water framework could support that transition. One Water treats all water as interconnected—the approach aligns planning, investment, and service delivery across departments rather than managing each service separately.
Working with City staff, we assessed existing practices and developed recommendations and a phased implementation roadmap to incorporate One Water into public works functions. Priorities included strengthening financial sustainability, improving equitable and affordable service, and advancing environmental stewardship. The vision was to create a more coordinated, resilient water management system that builds on Portland’s existing successes, including integrated customer service and collaborative affordability efforts.
The roadmap has given Portland a practical path toward shared leadership and cross-department collaboration. The approach we set out will support coordinated infrastructure investments, workforce development, and preparation for climate and seismic risks while protecting public health and the environment. It also aligns with Effective Utility Management, a framework for improving utility performance through sound financial management, reliable service, and continuous improvement.
" }