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1. How do I test for leaks?

1. Make sure all of your water is turned off.
2. Check the meter for movement - if the red triangle on the left hand side is moving freely, this is an indication that you have a leak. If your meter doesn't have a triangle you will have to perform a water audit:
   Take a reading of your water meter. Note the sweep hand and the last couple of numbers on the right hand side. One sweep = 7.5 gallons. Wait an hour, making sure no one uses any water. Check it again, if the reading has changed, you have at least one leak.
3. Investigate! Look for wet spots, dripping faucets, running toilets, etc.

2. How do I know how much water has been lost because of a leak?

Take a read off your meter and contact Customer Services and Utility Billing and they will work with you on figuring out how much you may have lost.

Call them at 541-450-6035, or send an email to Customer Services and Utility Billing.

3. Will the Public Works Department repair my leak?

The property owner is responsible for repair and maintenance of their water lines beyond the water meter. The utility is responsible for water lines up to the meter. Unless the leak is at the connection on the meter, the owner will have to repair or hire a licensed plumber to do so.

4. Will the Public Works Department locate my underground leak?

The location of leaks located behind the water meter is also the responsibility of the property owner.

5. Will Public Works compensate me for my water lost because of a leak?

A leak on a customer's property is their responsibility. However, we advise you to contact our Utility Billing office so that we can document your leak, and advise you on how to submit a request for a leak adjustment, if you feel this leak is the cause for putting you into a higher monthly service charge.

See the Adjustments to Service page on our site for more details.

6. How do I report a leak and is it important I do so?

If you notice a leak in the street, water coming out of a meter box or any other water related problems, please contact Customer Service and Utility Billing so we can get someone out there as quickly as possible. The utility division appreciates you reporting leaks so they can be repaired as quickly as possible and to prevent unnecessary loss of water.

After Hours/Weekend/Holidays

541-450-6260

7. What do I do if I need to report a leak and the Utility Billing office is closed?

If you discover a leak after 5 p.m. or during a weekend or a holiday, please call our Public Safety Department at 541-450-6260. Public Safety will contact a Utility representative to respond and access the situation.

8. Will a leak in the street be charged to my meter?

No, the meter will only monitor usage for water going to the home through the meter.

9. In what amount of time will Public Works respond to a leak?

As soon as possible, a Public Works employee will respond and determine if the emerging water is related to a leak on the municipal system. Unexplained water surfacing at any location may not always be related to a leak on the public water system. Sometimes such water is caused by problems related to other utilities such as storm drainage or Irrigation District water.

If a leak is determined to be coming from the municipal system, the responding employee will mark an area surrounding the leak with white paint and inform other utilities of the need for an emergency repair. The other utilities will respond by sending representatives to mark out the locations of their facilities within the painted area.

After these utilities have responded on site, repair work on the leak can then proceed as quickly as possible. The timing in which each particular leak is repaired may vary slightly depending upon its size, location, impact on customer service and other factors. Most water leaks are repaired on same day as reported.

10. How do I keep my pipes from freezing in the winter?

Insulate. Loosely wrap your pipes and faucets with insulation, or cover with plastic bag and/or coffee can. Hardware stores have pipe wrap and covers for faucets and fittings.

Note: Do not wrap the relief port on RP backflow assemblies. This needs to remain open for water to drain. Call 541-450-6115 with any questions.