Water meter replacements

We are improving the system and our customer experience. Currently, staff must visit each meter to read it. They read most meters once every three months. We are preparing our system for digital meter reading technology. This technology will automatically collect data from every meter, every day.

Older meters are not compatible with this technology. We are replacing these older meters now to prepare for the next steps in the smart meters project. Staff will continue to read the new meters in person until we install the digital technology.

View full size image of Diagram showing that water meter needs minimum 6-foot clearance from branches, nothing on it, and grass trimmed to edge.

Please keep your water meter clear, as required by Portland City Code. The following could prevent our crews from replacing your water meter:

• Parked vehicles
• Overgrown plants and grass
• Yard debris
• Piles of wood chips or rocks
• Construction materials

If your meter is blocked when crews arrive, they will leave a notice on your door. Please remove whatever is blocking the meter right away.

If grass, shrubs, or other plants are blocking access to the meter, crews may trim plants. They may also move any debris that is blocking access. Crews will leave any yard debris for you to dispose of.

If we are replacing a building's meter, we will mail a postcard to the building about 30 to 60 days beforehand. If you received one of these notices, then we are replacing the water meter at that address.

We are replacing the smaller water meters in our system. These meters are usually located at:

• Single-family homes
• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that have their own water meters
• Smaller multifamily buildings, such as duplexes or quadplexes, especially if each unit has its own water meter
• Some small commercial buildings, such as small stores, cafes, and restaurants

You may be able to find your meter size by checking your sewer, stormwater, and water bill. Look for the "Meter Detail" section on the front of your bill. For this project, we are replacing meters that are 5/8", 3/4", or 1" size.

View full size image of Meter Detail section of a sewer, stormwater, and water bill with the Size column circled

If we installed your water meter in the last 15 years, it is likely already compatible with digital meter reading technology. We will not replace these meters again as part of this project. We will install the digital technology onto the existing meter later in the smart meters project.

Due to the size of the project, we cannot schedule work on a per household basis. Your water will only be off for about 15 minutes. We understand that turning off water can be inconvenient. We appreciate your patience as we complete this important work.

Crews will knock on your door before turning off your water. Let them know if you are using water, like if someone is in the shower or your dishwasher or washing machine is running. In these cases, workers will move to other houses on your street first. They will return later that same day to replace your meter.

If no one answers the door, crews will check the meter to see if water is being used. If it is, they will come back later in the day. If the meter shows that water is not being used, crews will start work.

If you have a disability or medical condition that requires continuous access to water, such as home dialysis care, please let us know. We will work with you to accommodate your needs. Contact us at MeterReplacement@portlandoregon.gov or 971-313-0950 or tell the employee who knocks on your door.

You will not pay additional money for the new water meter. When you pay your sewer, stormwater, and water bill, you help pay for this project, including the new meters. It's just one of many investments in our system that the money from your bill supports. Learn more about what your bill pays for.

Crews will leave a notice on your door after they replace your water meter. On your next bill, the "Meter Detail" section of the bill will also show the meter replacement. The bill will list your old meter and its final reading. Then it will show your new meter, which will start reading from zero.

View full size image of Meter Detail section of a sewer, stormwater, and water bill showing an old meter with an out read and a new meter with an install read of 0

You may also be able to determine if you have a new water meter by looking in your meter box.

View full size image of A gloved hand holds a new water meter which is labeled "BADGER METER" on the lid

Sometimes our crews can't leave the water on after replacing a meter. After installing a new meter, crews will check the meter to see if water is being used. If it is, you could have a leak. Or you may have set an irrigation system, dishwasher, or other appliance to run at that time. Crews will turn off the water to prevent possible property damage in case you have a leak.

Check your door for a notice with more information. If you do not see a notice or if you need more help, please call 503-823-4874, option 1.

Installing a new water meter may cause temporary discoloration and air in the water line. To flush your pipes and clear the water, run only cold water for two minutes in a bathtub or laundry sink or from a hose.

If discolored water is still present after two minutes, turn off the water and wait for about an hour. Then run one cold-water faucet for one to two minutes. If the color is still present, contact our Water Quality Line for help.

It is not common for a water shutoff to damage your plumbing, but it is possible.

While rare, older homes are more likely to have plumbing issues. Homes built after 1990, homes with copper, PVC, or ABS pipes, and appliances with braided steel water lines are less likely to have plumbing issues after a water shutoff. Shutoffs may also affect the heating elements and pumps of appliances that use water, like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.

Here's how you can reduce your risk of damage from a water shutoff:

• If your home has a water shutoff valve, learn where it is and how to use it so you can respond quickly if a leak or break occurs. While we don't expect meter replacement work to cause leaks or breaks, it's always a good idea to know how to use your water shutoff valve.
• Make sure that none of your appliances that use water are set to start a cycle during a water shutoff. If one of your appliances is using water, let crews know when they knock on your door. If you don't answer the door, crews won't shut off your water if your meter shows water is being used at that time. The meter can't show if you have an appliance set to run at a particular time.
• Before your water is shut off, turn off power to water-connected appliances. Don't use water-connected appliances while your water is shut off.
• Once your water is turned on again, flush any sediment from your pipes by running water in a bathtub or laundry sink or from a hose.

View full size image of Illustration that shows the City is responsible for water infrastructure up to and including the water meter. After the meter, the customer is responsible.

The City maintains water infrastructure up to and including the water meter. After the water meter, the property owner is responsible for any needed repairs. See Portland City Code Section 21.50.050 and Section 21.30.130. 

If you have a problem with your plumbing and you are the property owner, it is your responsibility to fix any problems. If you are a renter, you should report the issue to the owner or property manager.

We have some customer resources that may help:

• If you find and fix a leak, you may be eligible for a leak adjustment (or credit) on your bill so you don't have to pay for the extra water.
• Our Home Water Leak Repair Program can repair some types of water leaks for free. To qualify, you must own your home and be enrolled in our financial assistance program.
• View a list of other organizations that offer help with home repairs. To learn more or apply for services, contact the organizations directly.
• If you are having issues with water pressure or quality, our troubleshooting guides may help you identify the issue.

No. Our crews will not install Flume or other water-use tracking devices. When our crews find a Flume device in a meter box, they will remove it from the old water meter. They will leave the Flume device on the ground inside the meter box. You will need to install the device on your new water meter.

Large buildings usually have larger water meters. We will need to replace some large meters as part of the smart meters project. We expect work on larger meters to begin in early 2027. Different Water Bureau crews will work on the large meters.

We will share more details with affected customers when we are closer to beginning work.