Bulk Water Meters

The City of Wilsonville provides temporary water service for water access when a permanent connection is not needed or available. The program allows permit holders to access water from a selected hydrant using a bulk water meter issued by the City, and if proper backflow protection is applied.

The 2022 Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 4061 with new provisions effective June 3rd, 2022 applying to Persons Hauling Water. The City of Wilsonville must water sale records that include the Oregon Construction Contractors Board Identification number (CCB#) or the license plate number of the vehicle used to haul water. For more information on this legislation, please see the State of Oregon’s 2022 Water Hauling Law and Cannabis Law webpage

 

Administrative Fees & Water Rate

Permit Administration Fee $150

Base Rate + Consumption Rate

 Current water rate as set forth in City Code*

*Please refer to Wilsonville City Code 3.102 and Resolution 2788

 

Base Rate $31.34 per month 
(includes two units and 4% franchise fee)

Consumption Rate

 $5.60 per unit 
(above the two units included in the Base Rate)

                                                                      748 GALLONS = 100 CU FEET = 1 UNIT

Equipment Deposits & Daily Rental Rates

Meter & Chapman valve

Deposit (Refundable)         

 $1600
Daily Rental $4 per day

 

Backflow assembly required if deemed necessary by the City.

Backflow Assembly 

Deposit (Refundable)         

 $500
Daily Rental $2 per day

 

Miscellaneous Fees

Hydrant Relocation Fee $100

 

 

How to Apply

  1.  Fill out the Bulk Water Meter Application Form. You will receive a confirmation email after your submission.
     
  2.  A staff member will contact you within one business day. Approved applicants will receive a Terms & Conditions document and payment instructions.
     
  3.  Applicants must submit the completed Terms & Conditions document and proof of payment to bulkwater@ci.wilsonville.or.us
     
  4.  Staff member will email with confirmation and date of deployment (Tuesdays/Thursdays only); if a hydrant wrench is required, staff will arrange pickup time at the Public Works  building.
     
  5.  A finalized copy of the Bulk Water Meter permit will be emailed to the applicant.

 

Returning a Meter

  1.  Permit holder requests to close out permit by contacting Public Works at (503) 682-4092 or emailing bulkwater@ci.wilsonville.or.us  Alternatively, if the permit has expired, the meter will be collected.
     
  2.  Staff will send a copy of the bulk water meter permit for permit holder signature. Finance will not issue a refund until a signature is obtained.  If necessary, a drop-off time will be scheduled to return loaned hydrant wrench.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need a permit?

A permit makes it legal for you to pull water from a hydrant. It does not give you permission to pull from any hydrant in the city. The hydrant you use must be approved by City Water Department staff.

Category: Bulk Water
2. Why do I need to meter the water?

All water use not associated with an existing residential/commercial meter service line must be obtained through the bulk water permitting system. You must pay for the amount of bulk water you use, just like you would pay for water used at a Wilsonville home or business. The meter makes it easy to record how much water is pulled, even if you make multiple trips.

Category: Bulk Water
3. What are examples of eligible projects for a temporary bulk water meter permit?
  • Capital Improvement Projects
  • Construction for commercial development
  • Fiber optic installation within a specific defined boundary
  • Testing water mains
  • Compaction
  • Demolition
  • Dust Control
  • Sump testing
  • Hydro testing tanks
  • Street sweeping
Category: Bulk Water
4. What projects are not approved?
  • Filling ponds or pools - Water for these kinds of projects should go through a permanently metered source
  • Projects outside of Wilsonville city limits
Category: Bulk Water
5. Can water be transported outside the City limits?

No. Bulk water must be obtained and used within the city limits per City Code Chapter 3. 3.102(5)

Category: Bulk Water
6. Why is a backflow preventer required?

Pulling from a hydrant can contaminate the public waterline if precaution isn't taken to prevent backflow. The backflow preventer protects the waterline from contamination. An air gap sized to twice the pipe's inner diameter serves the same purpose and is also an acceptable backflow prevention method.

Category: Bulk Water
7. What if I don’t have a water truck with an air gap or I don’t plan on using a water truck?

If you don’t use a water truck with an air gap or if you plan on directly hooking up to a hydrant, a backflow assembly will be required. Assemblies can be rented from the City and tested by City staff.

Category: Bulk Water
8. How long is a permit good for?

Bulk water meter permits are valid for 90 days. You must contact Public Works to request an extension. Permits, with authorized extensions, have a maximum service time of one year.  Any additional time beyond one year will require a new application to be submitted.

Category: Bulk Water
9. Where do I rent the meter?

The process is set up entirely online! Once you’ve submitted your completed application and payment, an appointment will be made for a tech to deploy your meter at a specified hydrant. Appointments are scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays only and requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Department staff will conduct a bulk meter and hydrant operation training session with the Permitee at the meter installation appointment.

Category: Bulk Water
10. I need a hydrant wrench – how do I get one?

Only hydrant wrenches are allowed for use on the hydrant operating nut. If you selected that you required a hydrant wrench on your Bulk Water Meter application form, the staff member communicating with you about your application will request to set up a date and time for pickup at the Public Works Department.

Category: Bulk Water
11. Who is responsible if something happens to the meter?

Damage caused, all water lost, and equipment either lost or stolen, is the financial responsibility of the permit holder. User is responsible for the condition of the hydrant during the term of the permit. Any damage to the hydrant during the term will be billed to the permit holder on a time and materials basis.

Category: Bulk Water
12. What happens if I don’t follow the Bulk Water Protocols listed above?

Anyone causing damage to hydrants or using city water without an approved permit is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Category: Bulk Water
13. Why is my CCB# or vehicle license plate number required?

According to House Bill 4061, water suppliers that sell water to the public must retain water sale records for up to 12 months from the date of sale and present those records immediately upon request to either the Department or law enforcement. Records will include:

  1. Name and contact information of person the water was sold to
  2. Quantity of water sold
  3. License plate number of the vehicle used to haul water
  4. Purchase date

For more information about the new legislation, please see the State of Oregon’s 2022 Water Hauling Law and Cannabis Law webpage

Category: Bulk Water
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