Portland has been ordered to immediately reduce lead levels in drinking water, city and state officials announced Wednesday, a decision that comes in the face of growing federal pressure and test results reaffirming Portland's place as the nation's worst big-city offender.

New testing found too much lead in drinking water at high-risk homes this fall, the second time in three years that Portland has exceeded federal standards.

Portland's lead levels are higher than others nationally because state and federal regulators allowed Portland to sidestep regulations in 1997 meant to minimize lead and pipe corrosion.

But now, in the wake of scrutiny from the Environmental Protection Agency and an investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive, state regulators say Portland must move immediately to reduce lead exposure in drinking water serving about 1 million Oregonians.

To further protect public health, "Portland needs to take additional immediate steps to reduce levels of lead in drinking water," Lillian Shirley, Oregon's public health director, told Portland in a letter delivered last week.

Portland has until Dec. 2 to submit a plan that will reduce lead levels. State regulators didn't prescribe how Portland must achieve reductions or set benchmarks for determining success.

City officials declined to immediately say how they can accomplish reductions, although past studies have suggested Portland could increase pH levels and alkalinity. Those chemical changes should reduce pipe corrosion that causes lead release, particularly in homes with lead-soldered plumbing or brass faucets.

"It's a pretty short deadline, but I think we will be able to be much more thoughtful" in coming weeks, said Yone Akagi, Portland's water quality compliance manager.

Although the state didn't set a deadline for improvements, Akagi said she expects Portland must make changes within months.

At the same time, state regulators gave Portland until 2022 to build a new water treatment plant to permanently reduce lead levels. The Portland City Council hasn't agreed to move forward, with a vote set next summer, but the state's declaration has seemingly forced their hand.

"Right now, our indications are this is probably the best path," said Scott Bradway, Portland's lead hazard reduction manager. "We're still going to go forward to City Council to get their approval."

Portland's outlier status came into sharp focus this spring during the fallout over the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, where children were poisoned from drinking water. Corrosive water leached toxins from lead service lines.

Portland doesn't have lead service lines and its Bull Run water supply is considered lead free. But Portland's water is corrosive and prone to leaching lead from plumbing. Local problems snowballed over the summer as virtually every Portland Public School facility tested high for lead, prompting the superintendent to resign.

Portland could have done more to reduce pipe corrosion and minimize lead levels, as required under federal law. But state and federal regulators essentially gave Portland a free pass.

In 1997, city officials argued that exposure to lead paint was a bigger problem. They convinced state regulators to approve a one-of-a-kind program to reduce -- but not minimize -- lead in water through light chemical treatment. In turn, city officials also agreed to tackle lead paint problems in older homes, provide free water testing and educate residents about lead hazards.

Federal officials strongly questioned Portland's program but nonetheless stood by as Oregon approved it.

In the following two decades, state regulators never set clear standards to evaluate Portland's program and did not independently analyze results. The Oregonian/OregonLive's investigation found a variety problems, including missed targets for paint reductions and residents who unknowingly lived in homes with lead problems.

City and state officials defended the program and argued it had been a success.

But now, the Oregon Health Authority has ordered Portland to conduct, assess and improve the program -- although it's not clear what that will entail beyond an already-planned review. Additionally, Portland must provide quarterly instead of twice-yearly status reports.

The state's sudden push for action follows prodding from the EPA. In September, federal officials declared that Portland may need to take "interim measures" to reduce lead levels. And if the feds weren't satisfied with Oregon's response, they warned they might step in.

At the time, Portland Commissioner Nick Fish, who oversees the Water Bureau, attempted to downplay the situation. He called it a "non event."

On Wednesday, Fish said he's not surprised by the state's demand. He stressed that the Water Bureau would provide treatment options but he wouldn't "prejudge" if changes will be implemented.

"We are directed in the next month to come back with some recommendations," he said. Ultimately the state "is going to tell us if any of them are acceptable, and we'll have that conversation."

Even so, Fish insisted the city recognizes the urgency of the situation. Any action needs to be balanced against the potential for unintended consequences to water quality, he cautioned.

"The fact that we want to do this in a thoughtful and deliberative way should not obscure the fact that we are deeply committed to public health and safety," Fish said. "They are not mutually exclusive."

New testing of 112 high-risk homes all but forced the state's hand.

Twice-yearly testing of homes built between 1983 and 1985 found Portland's highest lead levels in a decade. Officials test water from homes in Portland and suburban communities that receive Portland's water.

Ten percent of tested homes had lead levels at or above 17 parts per billion, exceeding the federal standard of 15 parts per billion.

The highest lead test, at a home in Gresham's Rockwood area, had 88 parts per billion.

State regulators knew about those test results before issuing the new declaration to make improvements.

The Oregon Health Authority didn't respond to written questions and declined interview requests. In a statement Wednesday, the agency said it appreciates Portland's prompt action and "looks forward to continued improvement of Portland's drinking water."

-- Brad Schmidt

503-294-7628

@cityhallwatch