Saving water at your business

• We can record your property's precise water use with a temporary flow recorder. The flow recorder attaches to your water meter and tracks water use for about a week. Looking at water use with this level of detail often helps us identify water use issues and determine how much water a particular piece of equipment consumes. Knowing how much water you're using and when you're using it can be a good first step to reducing overall water use.
• We can look at your property's historical water use. Depending on the type of business, we can help determine if your water use is efficient compared to similar businesses. We can also help determine if you are using more irrigation water than necessary. 

Apply for rebates

Replacing old and inefficient water-using equipment is a great way to save water and money at your business. We offer several rebates that can help offset the cost of new equipment.

Commercial ice machine rebate

We offer a rebate for replacing a water-cooled ice machine with an ENERGY STAR certified air-cooled ice machine. The rebate amount is 50 percent of the cost of the new eligible ice machine, up to a maximum of $3,000. 

Apply for a commercial ice machine rebate

Outdoor rebates

We offer rebates for the purchase of a WaterSense-labeled irrigation controller or spray sprinkler bodies, and multi-stream rotator nozzles. You must have a Portland Water Bureau drinking water account to be eligible.

Apply for an outdoor rebate

Washing machine rebate

We also offer rebates for the purchase of efficient ENERGY STAR certified washing machines. Multifamily residential and commercial customers can apply for up to 20 $100 rebates per drinking water account.

Apply for a washing machine rebate

Custom rebate for commercial improvement projects

Looking for ways to save water and money at your commercial facility, business, restaurant, or multi-family property? Our custom water efficiency rebate program can help. We'll reimburse half of the costs for approved projects, up to a maximum of $5,000 per project. We're accepting applications from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, or until the custom rebate funds run out. Funds are limited, so apply now!

Learn more about the custom water efficiency incentive

Order free water-saving devices

Choose from a variety of free simple-to-install water-saving devices.

• Faucet aerators: These screw onto your existing faucets to help them use less water. Saving water also saves energy when faucets use hot water. We offer 0.5 gallon-per-minute (gpm) aerators for dedicated handwashing faucets and 1.5 gpm aerators for kitchen and utility faucets.
• Toilet leak detection dye tablets: These free dye tablets help identify small and often silent toilet leaks.
• Toilet fill-cycle diverter: This small device can save half a gallon per flush. It works by sending more water to the tank so it refills at the same time as the toilet bowl.
• Showerhead: Our efficient showerheads use 1.5 gallons of water per minute. Saving water also saves energy, since showers use hot water.
• Sample of dual-flush handle (limit one): This device is for commercial flush valves using 1.6 gallons per flush.
• Sample of water-saving 0.5 gallon per flush urinal diaphragm kit (limit one): These are for urinals using 1.0 gallon per flush or more. 

To request free water conservation devices, contact the Water Efficiency team at conserve@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-4527. 

Other resources and incentives

Clean River Rewards

• Offers up to a 35 percent discount on your stormwater charges. Customers who safely manage stormwater on their property can register for a discount on their stormwater charges.

Energy Trust of Oregon

• Offers cash incentives for energy-efficient equipment upgrades. With new energy-efficient equipment, you save money and energy—and reduce operating costs.

Prosper Portland

• Offers loans, grants, technical assistance, and support for competitive industries to help your business grow here, stay here, and prosper here.

EPA WaterSense at Work

• A compilation of water-efficiency best management practices that can help you understand and manage your water use, establish an effective water management program, and identify projects and practices that can reduce facility water use.