On Monday, the Portland Water Bureau began turning off the city's Benson Bubbler drinking fountains, because of predicted cold temperatures and wind.
Cold and wind can cause safety hazards on sidewalks for pedestrians.
Two bubblers will be will be kept on—including one at Fifth Avenue and West Burnside Street, and one on the waterfront near the west end of the Steel Bridge—to provide water to those who rely on them as their primary water source.
It takes about one day to turn off all the city’s iconic drinking fountains but can take more time depending on weather and other factors. Benson Bubblers are turned off by hand.
Once temperatures warm up, the bubblers will be turned back on.