Tips to help your HOA, multifamily building, or business save water every day!

Summer is coming to a close, which means it's time for increased summertime water use to appear on the sewer, stormwater, and water bill for your homeowner association (HOA), community association, multifamily building, or business. Considering raising HOA dues or rents to cover the cost of utilities, including water, sewer, and stormwater? First, take some time to review your water use and look for ways to save water and money. The Portland Water Bureau can help!

What causes high outdoor water use?

Inefficient landscape watering can waste a lot of water-and money. Some of the biggest mistakes are overwatering, not adjusting your irrigation schedule by season, and a lack of seasonal maintenance on your sprinkler system.

• Overwatering: Lots of water (from rainfall or sprinklers) can saturate the soil. Once the soil is saturated, it can't absorb any more water. So if your sprinklers keep running after it rains, or if they run too long or too often, that additional water is wasted.
• Not adjusting your irrigation schedule by season: Many irrigation systems water the same amount year-round. But your landscape's water needs change with the seasons, and your irrigation schedule should change too.
• A lack of seasonal sprinkler system maintenance: Even the best watering systems need some routine care to operate efficiently. There are simple things you can do to take care of your irrigation system year-round. The Regional Water Providers Consortium has tips for seasonal sprinkler maintenance.

The good news is that you can take steps to reduce your outdoor water use!

Ways to save on your outdoor water use

Work with an irrigation professional

A knowledgeable contractor can help with irrigation repairs and water-saving improvements. When it's time to hire a pro, look for a WaterSense-certified irrigation professional. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program certifies irrigation professionals who practice water‐efficient irrigation techniques.

If you already work with a lawn or irrigation service, talk to them about how you can improve water efficiency and save money. You can use this landscape checklist from the EPA to get the conversation started.

Know how much water is too much water

To manage your landscapes in a water- and cost-efficient way, you need the right tools. The Portland Water Bureau's Water Efficiency team can help!

We can:

• Evaluate your water use history
• Check whether your annual water use is reasonable for the area you're irrigating
• Recommend water efficiency practices for irrigation, pools, and spas

It's simple! To get started, contact the Water Efficiency Team. Tell us how much of your property you water and the type of irrigation system you use. We'll give you actionable tips for reducing your water use and your costs.

Apply for a rebate

The Portland Water Bureau offers rebates to customers who install approved WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers and multistream rotator sprinkler nozzles! Commercial or multifamily accounts can receive up to $500 toward a controller (limit one rebate per account). Learn more and apply for a rebate.

Learn about waterwise plants

Choosing the right plants is key to water-efficient landscaping. Check out Water-efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley and other waterwise resources from the Regional Water Providers Consortium.

Save on your stormwater charges

Does the rain that falls on the roofs, driveways, and sidewalks in your property or HOA safely soak into the ground instead of going into the sewer and stormwater system? If so, the property or HOA could receive a discount of up to 35 percent on the stormwater part of its City of Portland sewer, stormwater, and water bill. Learn more about the Clean River Rewards discount program.

Other causes of high water use for HOAs and multifamily buildings

Leaks and inefficient fixtures inside homes could also be affecting your HOA's or multifamily building's sewer, stormwater, and water bill.

In many HOAs or multifamily buildings, one meter serves multiple units. This means the sewer, stormwater, and water bill goes to the HOA or property manager instead of directly to the residents. A resident who doesn't directly receive a bill might not know how much water they use.

Residents can do a home water audit to help them understand their water use and start saving water inside their homes. The Portland Water Bureau offers free home water audit kits and water-saving devices.

Has a leak impacted your HOA or multifamily building sewer, stormwater, and water bill? After the leak has been repaired, let us know. Customers who find and fix a leak can request a bill adjustment. You may be able to have the bill lowered.

Have questions about lowering your water use? Contact the Portland Water Bureau's Water Efficiency team at 503-823-4527 or [email protected].