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Customer Newsletter, Winter 2025

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Quarterly newsletter from Environmental Services and Portland Water — Portland's service providers for sewer, stormwater, and water. In this issue, find five winter tips to help you save on your bill and protect your home.
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5 winter tips to help you save on your bill and protect your home

Tip 1. Conserve water in winter—it could help lower your sewer charge year-round 

blue emoji with chattering teeth and orange hat with snowflake behind

In general, residential customers don’t have a meter to measure how much they put into the sewer system. Instead, we base your sewer charge on how much water you use during the winter months. This is called your winter average. Throughout the year, we use your winter average or your actual water use—whichever is lowest—to calculate your sewer charge.

For information on how we calculate your winter average, visit portland.gov/bes/rates.

Tip 2. Find and fix leaks

A toilet graphic in a blue circle

A water leak in winter could do more than cause an unexpectedly high bill or property damage. It could also increase your year-round sewer charges. Most leaks happen in toilets, but they can happen in other places. Learn how to find and fix leaks at portland.gov/water/leaks.

Tip 3. Protect pipes from freezing

Outdoors, caulk around where  pipes enter the home and turn off water to hose bibs or cover bibs with insulation. Inside, insulate pipes in unheated areas. When temperatures drop below freezing, open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms and, for added safety, let a slight drip of water run from faucets.

Learn more at portland.gov/water/prepare-winter.

Tip 4. Protect pipes from blockages

A person pouring oil from a pan into an old tin can

Keeping grease out of your pipes can help you avoid a blockage and sewer backup from buildup in your pipes. Find tips below for how to manage fats, oils, and grease in your kitchen. 

Tip 5. Maintain your home’s system for managing rain

It’s the rainy season—that means it’s time to check and clear gutters, downspouts, and inlets. Fix broken or bad connections. Make sure water flows away from foundations. Find more tips at portland.gov/bes/stormwater/maintenance.


Keep your pipes fat free

Hand wiping food scraps into a compost bin. Hand scraping waste from a cooking tray into garbage. Hand pour oil from a pan into a container.

Follow these tips when cleaning up dishes and cooking spaces:

  • Scrape plates into the compost or garbage before rinsing or washing.
  • Wipe oil or grease from cooled pans, dishes, or countertops with a paper towel. Place the towel in the garbage. 
  • Use rubber scrapers to remove grease from pots and pans before washing. 
  • Pour used and cooled cooking oil into a plastic bag or container with lid. Seal tightly and place it in the garbage. 
  • Catch crumbs and food scraps with sink strainers. Empty strainers into the compost or garbage. 
  • Place peelings and food scraps in the compost or garbage instead of using your sink’s garbage disposal.

It’s more than bacon grease

Oil, dressing, and mayonnaise bottles; gravy bowl with ladle; milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream

Fats, oils, and grease from cooking include things like:

  • Oils, dressings, and mayonnaise
  • Gravies and sauces
  • Butter, milk, and other dairy products

Learn more about what to keep out of your pipes at portland.gov/bes/safe-flush.


Clean River Rewards

Logo says Clean River Rewards with upside down umbrella catching raindrops.

When you safely contain the rain on your property, you help protect our rivers and streams. That could save you up to 35% on your stormwater charges. Learn more at portland.gov/clean-river-rewards.


Illustration shows the canopy of a tree with words: Treebate – Small investment. Big Returns.

Did you know winter is a great time to plant trees?

From now until April 30, plant a tree in your yard and apply for a one-time credit on your bill. Learn more at portland.gov/bes/treebate.


We can help

Podemos ayudarle  |  我们可以帮助您  |  Chúng tôi có thể giúp  |  Мы можем помочь

503-823-7770  |   pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov  |   portland.gov/water/financialassistance  |   portland.gov/utilitybill


The City of Portland is committed to providing meaningful access. To request translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, or other auxiliary aids or services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-7770, Relay: 711, or pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov.

Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  口笔译服务  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या  |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad  |  Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |  Chiaku me Awewen Kapas 

Translation and Interpretation:   503-823-7770  |  portland.gov/water/access

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