The City of Portland has taken a significant step towards consolidating its water services by appointing Dr. Ting Lu as the inaugural Director of Public Utilities, a position created to foster cohesion between drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems. According to the city's official announcement, Dr. Lu's selection followed a rigorous national search, and her new role will be instrumental in reinforcing integrated planning and investment while ensuring consistent, affordable service for the local community.
Dr. Lu's professional backdrop, with nearly two decades in public utilities, consulting, and academia, should serve to quickly align the Portland Water Bureau and the Bureau of Environmental Services under her leadership. She is set to manage over 1,200 employees and a budget surpassing $1 billion. Her ability to bridge various aspects of utility management, from regulatory compliance to capital delivery, has been nationally recognized. Among her notable accolades, she has served in leadership positions for organizations such as the Water Environment Federation and the Water Research Foundation. In her current role as Interim Director at Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services, she already oversees a substantial staff and budget, positioning her well to take on this broader responsibility.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson hailed Dr. Lu's appointment as a "watershed moment" for the city. "Her leadership and vision will unify our utilities and advance the City's One Water initiative," Mayor Wilson told Portland's official news website. The City Council is also applauding Dr. Lu's ascent, with Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney commenting on the pleasure of working with her and the anticipation of seeing her unite the two teams.
On January 2, 2026, Dr. Lu is set to officially begin her role, bringing with her a passion for labor-management collaboration and climate-resilient service delivery. "It's a privilege to step into this role as Portland's first Public Utilities Director," Dr. Lu stated, expressing gratitude for the city's dedicated workforce and the established foundation within the utilities sector. "My focus is on supporting our teams and ensuring our community continues to receive safe, reliable, and affordable services as we advance Portland's One Water vision," she further conveyed through the city's announcement.
Deputy City Administrator for Public Works, Priya Dhanapal, also weighed in on Dr. Lu's qualifications, emphasizing her deep experience and collaborative leadership style. Dhanapal underscored the importance of the utility workforce in providing the essential services on which Portlanders rely. With Dr. Lu at the helm, the city expects to see further advancements towards a unified and effective One Water vision.
