Water and Sewer Billing

Undetected water leaks can be costly. The best way to determine if you have a leak in your plumbing system, is by first checking your water meter.  If you don’t know where your meter is located, you can call City Hall at (503) 852-7575 to get your meter location.

DETECTING A LEAK

Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances, such as dishwasher and clothes washing machine. Make sure NO water is being used inside or outside of your house.

Locate your meter and lift the cover to see the meter dial.

Check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. Depending on the age of the meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular shaped dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter.

Or you can also take a meter reading and wait 1 to 2 hours and take another meter reading (make sure no water is used during this time).

If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

FINDING THE LEAK

After you have determined that you have a leak, the next step is to determine if the leak is inside or outside the house.

Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it off.

Check the leak indicator again for movement or use the meter reading method.

If the leak indicator stops moving or there is no change in the readings, then you have a leak inside of the house. 

If it continues to move or there is a change in the reading, then the leak is outside between the meter and the house.

POSSIBLE CAUSES…

• Leaking Faucets & Showerheads – Leaking faucets are generally a result of a worn rubber washer. Even a small drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water a day or 5, 000 gallons per month.
• Leaking Toilets – Toilet leaks can waste hundreds of gallons and often times are silent.  To determine if you have a leaking toilet, simply remove the lid and place a few drops of food coloring in the back of the toilet tank.  Wait 30 minutes, without flushing, and then look in the toilet bowl to see if any color has come through.  If you see food coloring in the toilet bowl, then you have a leak.
  • Flapper Valve Leaks – The most common reason for a leaking toilet is one with an improperly working or sealing flapper.  The flapper is the rubber valve in the bottom of the tank that lifts when the toilet is flushed.  If it is worn or cracked, water continuously flows from the tank to the bowl.

Underground Leak Detection

• Look (and feel) for portions of your property that are always wet.
• Look at your driveway, curb, or street for evidence of water flow.  It may not be a steady stream of water, but could be a puddle that never dries up.

After the Leak is Repaired

Once you receive notification that you have a leak, you have 30 days to repair the leak. If you can provide proof that the leak has been repaired (Repair Invoice or receipts for parts to fix yourself), the City can determine if you are eligible for partial consumption credit.

For more information please call City Hall at 503-852-7575

City Hall requires a water service application for all new water customers (even if you are not actively living on-premises). This application can be found below in supporting documents or by clicking here.  Once you have completed your application, a visit to Carlton City Hall is required, along with identification and deposit. Applications are also available at City Hall if needed. It only takes a couple of minutes, and you are on your way!

No.  Monies collected for water and sewer funds are considered enterprise funds and can only be used for water or sewer related expenses.  

The city has taken dramatic steps in recent years to increase water capacity, including:

• Panther Creek Reservoir Dredging Project -  Intended to increase water capacity at the City's reservoir. 
• Inter-tie Project with McMinnville Water & Light – To ensure that Carlton water users have access to emergency water.
• Water Main Improvements – To update and install a new water main line which will address water loss issues and aging infrastructure, as well as increase flow and pressure into town.

The city’s water curtailment program limits the use of water to ensure there is an adequate supply for basic needs.  A curtailment may be initiated by the Public Works Director in the event a water shortage exists, for minor maintenance work or damage repairs, or if a prolonged period of hot, dry weather is expected.  

For example, stage 1 curtailment limits lawn watering to every other day and will cut water usage for lawn and garden irrigation by 50,000-100,000 gallons per day.

If you must leave the beautiful City of Carlton, please let us know at least 48 hours before you leave your current address.  Call City Hall at 503-852-7575, and the staff will collect your forwarding information.  Just make sure you let us know before you leave.  The water service will stay in your name until the next person moving in lets us know that you have moved out and has filled out a new water service application.  Unless you like paying for water that you didn't use, please let us know so we can get your final bill in the mail.  

Previously, the City had a certified backflow prevention device tester under contract to perform this annual service our customers for a fee included on the monthly water billing. 

The City has now moved to requiring property owners to provide their own proof of compliance. Property owners will be required to hire your own device tester that has been certified by the Oregon Health Authority under state law. You would pay for this service out of pocket, and your tester would submit the necessary compliance documents to the City. The City is unable to recommend or endorse any specific testers but, a list of certified backflow assembly testers can be located on the Oregon Health Authority's webpage.