This Halloween season, Portlanders can skip the spooky surprises—like high water bills from hidden leaks—thanks to the City’s Home Water Leak Repair Program, which offers free plumbing repairs for qualifying homeowners.
The program, run by the Portland Water Bureau, helps low-income residents fix leaks in toilets, faucets, underground pipes, and more. It has served the community for nearly 30 years, helping to conserve water, reduce utility costs, and keep residents in their homes.
“Water leaks can be scary, but fixing them doesn’t have to be,” said a Portland Water Bureau representative. “This program is like a treat that helps homeowners save water, save money, and avoid costly damage.”
To qualify, applicants must own and live in the home with the leak, have an active drinking water account with the city, be enrolled in the Water Bureau’s financial assistance program, and have a leak on their side of the water meter. Repairs can address problems in toilets, faucets, pipes, washing machines, and other fixtures.
Underground leaks, which occur in water service lines between the meter and the home, are among the most severe. These leaks can waste thousands of gallons per day and often go unnoticed until an unusually high bill arrives. In 2024, the program repaired or replaced 21 leaking underground service lines.
Toilet leaks are also a major concern. A running or noisy toilet can waste water at the same rate as an open faucet. Last year, the program repaired or replaced 121 leaking or inefficient toilets, some of which were using thousands of gallons daily. Many older toilets were swapped for high-efficiency WaterSense models, reducing both water use and monthly bills.
In addition to toilets and underground pipes, the program repaired 70 faucets, 35 indoor pipes or supply lines, 28 bath or shower fixtures, 15 hose bibs, and various other plumbing issues in 2024. Overall, nearly 200 homeowners received repairs or site assessments.
The program also supports climate goals. Treating, pumping, and heating water uses energy, so reducing water use lowers associated carbon emissions. In 2024, the program received a five-year grant from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), which funded a full-time coordinator and helped more than double the number of repairs completed.
Homeowners who suspect a leak can contact the program by emailing [email protected]
or calling 503-823-6060. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
