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The Port of Portland and air carriers are beginning an environmental assessment of alternatives to enhance the Portland International Airport deicing system. This evaluation, which will be conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act, will study the effects and impacts of changes to the way PDX manages deicing stormwater runoff.
A conceptual design of the new system was approved by Port Commissioners in May 2007. The conceptual design included:
- Onsite treatment using reverse osmosis technology
- Increased storage capacity for both concentrated and dilute runoff
- A new, permitted Columbia River outfall
- Expansion of the area collected within the system to include the west airfield at PDX
Currently, the Port and air carriers are performing a more detailed study (termed “schematic design”) to define the system sizing, component locations, and other technical issues to comply with the terms of our Mutual Agreement and Order with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Our goal is to maintain safe airport operations and achieve compliance while protecting the natural environment.
During the assessment of these design components, the Port is asking for community members to weigh in on the project by sharing their concerns and providing feedback. Please consider taking our Web survey. Or for additional information, please attend an upcoming project meeting or schedule a presentation from a Port staff member.
The final design of the project is scheduled to be completed in June 2009. We are required to have a fully operational expanded system by April 2012, our compliance date with DEQ.
Project History
The Port’s deicing storm water runoff collection system became operational in November 2003, after extensive collaboration with citizens, airlines, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, and other stakeholders. The $31-million system took three years to construct. It protects the Columbia Slough through the monitoring, collection, treatment, and controlled release of deicing stormwater runoff to the slough and City of Portland sanitary system. (Note: Discharges to the slough are not currently treated – only discharges to the sanitary system are treated at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant.)
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulates the discharge of deicing storm water runoff to the slough through a permit. Deicing runoff can temporarily reduce dissolved oxygen in water as it biodegrades. The reduced dissolved oxygen can be unhealthy to aquatic life.
During the winter seasons of 2003-2004, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, low water flows in the slough contributed to exceedances of the deicing storm water permit. While the deicing management system works well, the amount of water and the rate of water flow in the slough is problematic in terms of discharging deicing fluid runoff.
The Port, in collaboration with airlines at PDX, has been proactively addressing the exceedances. The Port has constructed a number of system modifications, at a cost over $4 million, since the system went online in 2003 to further improve the system’s effectiveness.
A conceptual design process to identify system enhancements needed to ensure compliance was completed by the Port and air carriers in May 2007. The elements within the conceptual design were developed with extensive stakeholder outreach. The project is currently in the schematic design phase which is due to be completed in June 2008. There are numerous ways for the public to get involved as the schematic design process moves forward.