Your Guide to the Oregon Zoo Bond Measure

How can the zoo save water, reduce water pollution and improve water quality?

Since most of the zoo's pipes, plumbing and irrigation systems date back to the 1950s and '60s, many are outdated, leaking and well past their useful lives.

The most expensive utility at the 64-acre zoo is water. Leaking pipes, runoff, inadequate filtration systems and lack of water storage all contribute to wasted water and increasing costs.

Replacing the sewer system and separating sewage from storm water would reduce pollution, improve water quality and save resources. Adding modern water-filtration and recycling systems to the hippo and penguin pools would save more than 11 million gallons of water every year.