Testing the accuracy of flow meters serving high volume users allows the bureau to more accurately recover the cost of the service provided. High volume users are: 1) customers that are served via flow meters sized 6-inches and larger, and; 2) customers with average water usage rate over 1,000 ccf per month, where ccf stands for centum cubic feet, which is equal to 74,800 gallons.  High volume users include businesses, apartment buildings, manufacturing facilities, etc.  Small inaccuracies over large water consumption volumes can have the potential to impact the cost recover significantly.  Accurate volume calculation leads to accurate billing where customers would pay their share of water consumed.  The annual testing approach for these size meters (6-inches and larger) is per the American Water Works Association guidelines. 

The Portland Water Bureau has identified a target of 90% for this measure, meaning at least 90% of the meters tested will meet the meter manufacturer’s design accuracy. Between FY 2020-21 and FY 2023-24, Water Bureau has exceeded the 90% target. While meeting the target, a decreasing trend was noticed for the FY 2023-24. FY2024-25 actuals (when available) can help the Water Bureau decide if this decrease is a one-off event or if potentially part of a longer trend that may need to be corrected by replacing more meters every year.

The Water Bureau maintains records on the size of water meters and monitors the consumption rates of system users. This information serves as the basis for identifying which meters will be considered for testing. The accuracy testing is performed by the Water Bureau Customer Service Workgroup.

Water Bureau reports this measure annually as part of the annual budget development. Portland Water Bureau customers can request a check of the accuracy of the water use for which they are billed. Please visit https://www.portland.gov/water for ways to contact the Water Bureau or call at 503-823-7770.