Water Leak Information

The City owns the lines up to the meter but after the meter is private property. The City does not determine the location of a leak, fix a leak, or troubleshoot problems on private property. We recommend if you suspect a problem you start investigating right away.  If you would like the meter to be shut off please contact the Utility Billing Department at (503) 570-1610.

Indications of a leak

High water consumption could be an indication of a leak or it could be attributed to seasonal usage such as pressure washing, reseeding lawn, refilling a pool, visiting guests, etc. Be sure to turn off all faucets and appliances that use water in the home and then look at the meter. 

• Meter is registering Usage: If a pipe breaks between your water meter and your house, your meter will show continuous water usage—even if you're not using any water inside. This could be a sign of a leak in the home or hidden underground.
• Meter showed no flow: No break in the main line. Please check the sprinkler system. The control valve manages water flow to the sprinkler pipes in your yard. When the system is off, no water should be going to those pipes. If the system is on and a pipe is broken underground, a significant amount of water could be leaking out without your knowledge.
• Intermittent Usage: No water is on inside the home but the meter spins and then stops and later it spins and stops again. Why? Toilet leaks are often silent. If the mechanism in the back of the toilet doesn’t seal properly, water can slowly seep into the bowl. Once the water in the tank gets too low, it refills—this may appear as intermittent flow on your water meter.

Shut off valve

City building plans do not list where private property shut off valves are located. If you have a shut off valve this can be used to help pinpoint where a leak may be occurring. Irrigation can be shut off at the control panel or the Backflow device.

Most common leaks 

• Toilets: Put several drops of food coloring in the back of the tank. Do not flush the toilet. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color within 10 minutes then there is a leak. You can also turn off the valve to the toilet and check if the meter stops moving. 
• Bathtubs/Sinks: Constant Drips, Look for an accumulation of water on the surrounding surfaces such as floors, under cabinets, along pipes.
• Appliances: (Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Hot Water Tank, Washing Machine,Water Softener, Ice Maker) 
  • Look for an accumulation of water on the surrounding surfaces or warped floorboards
  • Excessive accumulation of ice in the freezer 
  • Constant sound of running water
• Hose Bibs: Make sure all of them are securely off and not dripping
• Irrigation (Sprinkler Systems): During the winter make sure the Backflow device was property winterized. During the summer run the system and check for broken sprinkler heads, soft muddy spots where there is not a sprinkler head, and lack of normal water pressure. 
• Water Features (Fountains/Ponds): Low water levels. If you notice you are filling the item with water more often or hear the auto fill constantly coming on this could be a sign of a leak. Be sure the float valve is clear of debris. Check liner for any holes or cracks. 

read the meter

If further assistance is needed please contact the Utility Billing Department at (503) 570-1610. We can request for a Public Works member to check the meter at no charge.

• Location of the Meter: Generally near the property and in a utility easement
• Remove the Lid: Be careful because there maybe wires attached for radio transmitters. 
• Meter Readings:
  • ​To determine the usage you take the current read minus the previous read. 
  • There are 2 style of meters, Analog and Digital.   
    • Analog:
      • 1" or Smaller - The reading starts on the 4th place from the left hand side. Ignore the commas and decimal.  
      • 1.5" or Greater - The reading starts on the 5th place from the left hand side. (Common for Non-Residential locations)
    • Digital: 
      • The digital meters come to life when you lift the cover. It will read in Gallons or CCF (one hundred cubic feet or 748 gallons). You open and close the lid to get it to switch between the different styles.
      • Gallons can help you see a leak since the numbers will change more frequently.
      • The City reads the meters in CCF. 
      • Digital Meter Read Instructions 

request Leak adjustment

The City does offer an adjustment to the bill for qualifying leaks. Please read the Leak Adjustment Guidelines for Qualifications to see if your leak would qualify. If the leak qualifies, you can submit a Leak Adjustment Form and upload your scanned proof of repairs.