Checking for Leaks
Your water meter is the best detective in your home. It can tell whether you have a leak, as well
as how much water various appliances are using. All you have to do is learn its language.
City of Tigard water customers have meters that measure cubic feet of water used. To convert
cubic feet of water into gallons multiply the number shown on your meter by 7.48.
An example: 004900 cubic feet x 7.48 = 36,652 gallons.
Water meters are never reset. To find out how much water you've used in any given period,
just subtract the number of cubic feet used on your last bill from the current meter reading.
Looking at the meter you will see a red sweep needle. This needle turns like a second hand
clock. Each time it goes around, one cubic foot of water (7.48 gallons) is used. Also the
meter has a leak detection device on the face. This is a small triangle shaped dial that
has no cubic feet value but will detect small flows of water through the meter.
Now, go do some checking:
- Turn on the sprinkler and watch the meter dial move for 1 minute. Multiply the number of
cubic feet times 60 for the quantity used per hour. Then estimate how long you usually
leave the sprinkler running. This will give you an idea of how many gallons of water you
use each time you sprinkle.
- Wait for a member of the family to step into the shower and follow the directions
above. You will know how many gallons are used for each shower.
- For leak detection, turn everything off carefully so no water is being used
anywhere in the house, then note the position of the meter dial. Look at the leak
detection triangle for movement. Don't use any water and check the meter dial again
after 20 minutes. If the triangle has not moved, you have a relatively water-tight home.
If it is has moved, start checking hose connections, faucets, and toilets.
If you have any further questions regarding your water meter or leaks, please contact
the Utility Billing office, 503-718-2460. If you have experienced a leak you may be eligible
for an adjustment to your utility account, see the section under Utility Billing titled
Credit for Leak Adjustment.
Maintaining the Area Around the Meter
Do you know where your meter is? Water meters are set in the ground usually at the edge of
the lawn close to the sidewalk or street. Most people are unaware that the water meter is
located within a utility easement. This means that when landscaping or fencing, you should
maintain a safe distance from the meter and protective box.
Some things to keep in mind about landscaping:
- The meter should be kept clear of shrubbery,
ornamental trees & low growing bushes.
- When planting trees take into consideration that
tree roots can become entangled around pipes increasing
the possibility of breakage on the customer side of the meter.
- Tree foliage can also become bushy, hindering the meter reader.
- Customers who already have established landscaping are encouraged
to trim their plantings back from the meter box.
Now you be the meter reader!
The next time you're working in the yard, take a few
minutes and check out the area around your meter.
- Is it easily seen from the street??
- Do you have to push shrubs or tree limbs out of the way to get to it??
- Do you have to duck down or crawl to read it??
If any of these are true, our meter reader will
have trouble reading your meter. Feel free to call our office for advice on
maintaining your meter, 503-718-2460.
Pressure Related Problems
Occasionally you may experience a decrease or increase in the water pressure.
There are many possible causes of this problem including air in the water lines,
faulty plumbing fixtures, or a defective pressure regulating valve.
Air in the lines is usually associated with construction in the area or a change in
your water supply, such as the meter being turned off for repairs. Symptoms of
air pockets include water "spitting" out of the faucet, cloudy or milky looking
water, and possibly water that appears rusty. If you experience any of these
things turn at least two faucets on full blast for 5-10 minutes; it's helpful if
the faucets are located at different ends of the house. This should pull the air
pocket through the water lines, however, if the problem doesn't clear up call
the Utility Billing office.
If you are experiencing low pressure in one
area of the home, it is probably related to a faulty plumbing fixture. For
instance, if the kitchen sink works fine but the clothes washer takes a long
time to fill, the problem is probably in the line to the washer or the washer
itself. The same can be said of individual problems with showers, toilets,
sinks, etc. If this sounds like the problem you are having, you'll want to
contact a plumber or make the repair yourself.
Another common pressure
problem can be attributed to a bad pressure regulator. If the pressure seems
unusually low throughout the house or if your pipes tend to rattle when certain
fixtures are used, we may need to repair or replace your regulator valve. Since
this equipment is maintained by the Water Department it is important to contact
us if you are having problems. For repair service call Utility Billing,
503-718-2460.
Reading the Water Meter:
Simple instructions for reading your meter can be found in the section,
Checking for Leaks.
Meters are read monthly for billing purposes. We do not estimate the reads for
billing unless we are physically unable to read the meter. Generally, this is
limited to meters that have been blocked by vehicles or cannot be located
because of excavation in the surrounding area. Consumption is measured and
billed in units of one hundred cubic feet (ccf).
Each week we read approximately 2,000 meters during a three day period and we pride ourselves on
maintaining an error rate of less than .1%. However, there will be times when a
meter is misread. If you find that the current read on your bill does not match
the read on your water meter, call our office for an adjustment,
503-718-2460.
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Utility Billing Office: 503-718-2460
After–Hours Emergencies:
To report water, stormwater,
sewer, street or park emergencies outside regular business hours, contact the
after-hours answering service at 503-639-1554.
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