NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 8/11/97 -- Standard&Poor's today has assigned its single-'A'-plus rating to Portland, Ore.'s $267.265 million sewer system revenue refunding bonds 1997 series A, which are scheduled to sell Aug. 14, 1997. The rating reflects the following credit strengths: -- A strong management team, and -- A diverse service area economy. Some credit concerns include: -- A very large capital program; -- A good relationship with regulators, reducing concerns associated with treatment plant permitting; -- Increasing, but manageable rates; and -- Adequate financial performance. The sanitary and stormwater collection and transportation systems serve about 500,000 people in Portland and surrounding communities on a retail and wholesale basis. Historically, combined sewerage overflows (CSO) plagued the
