Check your water bill each month. Usage amounts are listed on water bills in hundreds of cubic feet. One cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons. One hundred cubic feet equals 748 gallons.

If your bill seems high or has increased dramatically, itís likely you have a leak of some kind. Check around your house for puddles of water and leaking faucets, or investigate your property for soft spots. Listen for a leak.

If you are unable to locate a leak, you can use your water meter to check for one. If you do not know where the meter is or cannot find it, call (503) 635-0280 for assistance.

First, turn off all water outlets in the house and note the reading on the meter (you can mark the needleís position on the glass if necessary). After 30 minutes, look at the meter again. If the needle has moved, you have a leak. In most cases thatís all there is to it. Most leaks are easy to fix with the replacement of a gasket.

If you need assistance, call the Water Department at (503) 635-0280.