December 4 is World Water Loss Day, established in 2019 by the International Water Association to highlight the challenge of managing water loss in communities around the world. Globally, it is estimated that 91 billion gallons of water a day are lost through leaks, broken pipes, and unrecorded use in treated water systems. Here in Portland, addressing water loss is not just a matter of sustainability but a commitment to responsible stewardship.
What is water loss?
Water loss is the difference between the total amount of water produced by a utility and the total amount of authorized water used and recorded by a utility. For the Water Bureau, these authorized uses include water used at homes and businesses, fighting fires, running the Benson Bubblers, and many other activities. The bureau tracks these uses annually as part of our water audit.
Any untracked or unauthorized water use is considered water loss. Water loss includes things like leaks on storage tanks, water lost when a pipe breaks, and unpermitted hydrant use. On average, the bureau has a water loss rate of about 15 percent. While this is similar to other utilities our size, it’s higher than we would like.
Space-age leak detection: Portland looks to the skies
In summer 2023, the Water Bureau took water loss management to the next level by harnessing satellite technology. We partnered with Asterra, a company specializing in satellite-based leak detection, to pinpoint underground leaks using satellites that can detect soil moisture matching the chemistry of our treated drinking water. The ability to survey large areas quickly and cost effectively makes this approach a game-changer. (Read all about it in this post from March 2024.)
The bureau completed its annual water loss audit in October 2024 and the results are in! During the past year, the bureau reduced its water loss by 370 million gallons. This is equal to the amount used by 8,000 Portland homes in a year. Very exciting!
Why it matters
Although Portland is fortunate to have plenty of water for our homes and businesses, water loss is more than just a water supply issue. Leaks of any size can lead to potholes or damage other infrastructure like sewer systems and transportation networks. Treating and moving our water also requires chemicals and energy. Reducing electricity use is a key component of the bureau’s Net Zero Strategy, and decreasing water loss is one way the bureau can reduce its electricity use. In addition to the water savings, our satellite leak detection work reduced our carbon footprint by approximately 56 metric tons of carbon.
Help us reduce water loss
You can help reduce water loss by reporting leaks and main breaks. If you see water bubbling up from the ground, see pools of water where it should be dry, or see water running from cracks in streets or sidewalks, call the Water Bureau’s 24-hour emergency line at 503-823-4874. We’ll investigate and fix any leaks as soon as possible.
