Under pressure to reduce lead in drinking water, the Portland Water Bureau on Friday agreed to increase pH levels and evaluate the effectiveness of related programs.

Now it's up to state regulators to sign off.

Portland submitted its plan to the Oregon Health Authority in response to heightened concerns over the city's persistently high lead levels. Portland has the highest reported lead levels of any major water provider nationally and recent testing of high-risk homes exceeded federal benchmarks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began pushing for changes and city officials responded Friday, largely following recommendations that had been previously outlined.

Most notably, the Water Bureau agreed to increase pH levels from 8 to 8.2, a move that may reduce the release of lead. Although Portland's water is considered to be lead free when it leaves the Bull Run, it's also corrosive enough to leach lead from in-home plumbing with lead solder or brass faucets with lead inside.

While other cities across the country took steps to minimize lead release, Portland didn't. City officials launched a program in 1997 to lightly treat water while focusing on other problems, such as lead paint in homes. Federal officials raised concerns but stood pat as state regulators approved the alternative effort, called the Lead Hazard Reduction Program.

The Oregonian/OregonLive recently investigated the effectiveness of that program, finding missed goals and documented shortcomings.

As part of its new plan, Portland says it will "expand outreach" for free water testing for vulnerable populations. And officials will "identify and implement potential improvements" to the city's effort to reduce lead paint risks inside homes.

State regulators, who have long defended Portland's program, pushed for changes under pressure from the EPA. Oregon Health Authority officials have previously said they don't know how long it will take to review Portland's plan before approving it.

The plan is supposed to offer short-term fixes. Portland is expected to build a new treatment plant by 2022 that would meet federal requirements to minimize lead levels.

-- Brad Schmidt

503-294-7628

@cityhallwatch