The following are frequently asked questions, the answers to which you may find helpful. For additional information, please contact Customer Service at 503-722-9220.
Frequently Asked Questions
****ATTENTION IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS****
Several years ago, the Oregon Department of Water Resources asked all water providers to institute block rates for water conservation purposes. Block rates means that a "block" of water is billed at one rate. Subsequent blocks are each billed at a higher rate than the block before. CRW has used block rates for many years, Our current billing system allows us to display all the charges that make up the total amount due for the volume of water delivered.
What are CRW's Hours?
Office hours for the District are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The office is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
I want to check on my bill. What number do I call?
For questions on your account, service requests, closing or opening an account, or to pay your bill by credit or debit card, please call 503-722-9220 during office hours. Calls are answered in the order received.
Who do I call if there is an emergency?
During office hours, please call Customer Service 503-722-9220.
If the emergency occurs outside regular office hours, call the same number. A recording will direct you to our emergency service line. Emergency situations include low or high pressure problems and emergency shut-offs.
Important --- If you call the Customer Service phone number after hours, you will hear a recording giving you several options. This message also includes the Emergency Number. Do not call the emergency number with questions regarding your account. Emergency personnel do not have access to billing or customer account information.
How often is my water meter read?
All water meters are read bi-monthly.
How do I read my water meter?
Read the numbers on your water meter just like the numbers on your car’s odometer, from left to right, but on the water meter, ignore the last two numbers on the right. To compute your bill, CRW subtracts the previous reading from the current reading. The resulting number is how many units of water were used between the two readings. If you wish to convert units into gallons, multiply the number of units by 748. The resulting number is the gallons of water that have passed through your meter.
How is my bill computed?
Bills are
computed based upon the amount of water you use. The rate per unit of water
used [one unit equals 100 cubic feet of water (also known as a "CCF")
or 748 gallons] is on a sliding scale. The more water used, the higher the cost
per unit. Currently, CRW's billing blocks and rates per unit for single family
dwellings are: (Block 1) 0-4 units, $1.60; (Block 2) 5-8 units, $1.78; (Block
3) 9-24, $2.12 units, and (Block 4) 25+, $2.70.
How do I know if I have a leak?
Nearly all of our water meters have a leak indicator on the meter face. The leak indicator is a small triangular-shaped button (usually blue in color) that spins as water is going through the meter. If you suspect you have a leak shut off all water in the house. Open the meter box and look at the leak indicator on the water meter. If the leak indicator is turning, even very slowly, you have a leak.
Can my water meter help me determine where a leak located?
Yes.
Step One -Turn off all water in the house, including the shut off valves to the toilet(s), dishwasher, clothes washer, and any other appliance(s) that use water.
Step two - Turn off the main valve where the water enters the house. Observe the leak indicator on the water meter. If the leak indicator is turning (even slowly), there is a leak between the water meter and the shut off valve where the water enters the home.
Step Three - If the leak indicator on the meter is not moving, turn on the main valve where the water enters the house. Look at the leak indicator on the meter. If it is moving, the leak is either under the house or in piping in the back yard or sprinkler system.
Step Four - If the leak indicator is not moving, turn on, one at a time, each individual shut off valve of each appliance you turned off -- beginning with the toilet(s). Each time you turn on a valve, check the leak indicator on the water meter. When the leak detector begins moving, you have identified the leak is in that appliance or down stream of the last valve you turned on.
Why do some customers pay a higher rate than other customers?
CRW currently uses a Cost of Service model to determine water rates for the various classes of customers within the district.
Because the cost to deliver water to each customer class is different, various blocks and rates are used to price the water delivered.
Does it cost a lot to keep my lawn green in the summer?
The cost to keep your lawn green in the summer will vary with the size of the lawn and whether you apply more water than is needed. Published average usage in the summer excludes those with very large lawns and expansive landscapes. However, a good rule of thumb is to look at your winter water bill and then multiply by 3. You can expect to use that much or more on your lawn and other outside uses in the summer. For an estimate of the minimum amount of water needed to keep your lawn green, click here.
Is my water safe to drink?
Clackamas River Water takes pride in the quality of water that we deliver to our customers. We take hundreds of water samples each year to monitor the quality of your drinking water. The water delivered to your home or place of business is equal to or better than all the regulatory standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Health Department. You can view a copy of the annual water quality report on this website under the heading “Water Quality.”
When and where are Board meetings?
Regular Board meetings are currently held at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in Clackamas River Water's Offices at 16770 SE 82nd Drive. The public is encouraged to attend. Special meetings are advertised through the newspaper and posted in the kiosk at the front of the building.
Why is my water sometimes cloudy?
Cloudy water can occur when an unexpected large volume of water is used by the fire department when they open a hydrant to fight a fire, test a fire hydrant, or from increased flows a water main break. The sudden, large volume of water flowing through the main causes sediment in the line to be stirred up making the water cloudy. Cloudy water will usually dissipate in a few hours and poses no risk to health.
Who do I call if I have a water quality question or concern?
For water quality questions or concerns, call
Gordon McGhee
at 503-722-9241 or by email at
Will my bill be discounted if I have a bad water leak?
CRW has a leak adjustment policy for water leaks on the customer’s main line between the water meter and the house. The policy does not cover leaks within the home, in piping going to outbuildings, or for leaks in an irrigation system. Call customer service at 503-722-9220 for a leak adjustment form and additional details
Do I need a water softener?
Water pumped and treated from a ground water source (such as a well) has a much higher mineral content than does water pumped and treated from a surface water source (such as a river, lake, or stream). Most of CRW’s water is pumped from a surface water source, the
Clackamas
River
, and is very low in dissolved minerals. A blend of surface water and ground water may be supplied to areas south of the Clackamas River. The blended water is not considered 'hard', through it does contain additional mineral content. You normally do not need a water softener if your only source of water is the Clackamas River Water District.
Many water softeners work by replacing the hardness with sodium. People on low sodium diets and etc. should consult their physicians before installing a water softener.
Soft water can release lead from pipes or faucets that are connected to the internal water pipes in your home after the water is processed by the softener. Additionally, a softener must be maintained to prevent biological and other contaminants from entering the water system within the home.
