City of Hood River

Providing Public Safety, Utilities, and Community Development

    ::    General Questions

General Questions

Is there a deposit to start service? The City of Hood River does not require deposits for new customers. However, if starting services, there is a one time administrative fee that is charged when services are initiated and will appear on the first bill as a $20.00 charge.

Can I change the due date on the utility bill? We are unable to alter billing dates. All Utility bills are due on the 10th of each month.

Will the city search for leaks on the property? City Public Works Employees are not allowed to enter private property to search for leaks. The city is responsible for the maintenance of the city water main (usually located in the street) and the water meter. Property owners are responsible from the owners side of the water meter and any plumbing for the home on the private line. If you suspect a leak in your system you might want to consider hiring a plumber or leak detection service. The City of Hood River cannot recommend local plumbers or leak detection services. 

How do I turn my city water meter on or off? Please call the City of Hood River at 541-387-5216 and we will schedule to turn on/off the water meter for you. City Public Works Employees are the only one who are allows to access the city water meters. If the meter is damaged by the homeowner accessing the meter any repairs will be billed at the expense of the homeowner.

Can I have my water shut off while I am out of town for an extended time? Please call The City of Hood River at 541-387-5216 and we will schedule to turn on/off the water meter for you. All utility accounts are billed monthly base fees based on the water meter size at the property regardless of vacancy.

What could cause my utility bill to be higher than normal? An unexpected quantity of water has passed through the meter could be due to leakage in residential plumbing, irrigation needs, or additional users or uses outside of the normal routine. It is helpful to keep track of your past consumption and billing as most water usage fluctuates depending on seasonal consumption such as irrigation in the hotter months.

My water meter box is full of water, is it leaking?
There can be many reasons that water could be retained in your meter box.  Rain, lawn sprinkler systems, and other exterior sources can cause the meter box to fill with water.  Most meter boxes are made of concrete or high strength plastic so it may take time for water to dissipate. If you see bubbles rising or obvious signs of the meter leaking into the box, contact the City of Hood River at 541-387-5216.

How often is my meter read by the city?
Meters are read monthly for billing purposes. We do not estimate the reads for billing unless we are physically unable to read the meter. Water customers are asked to ensure there is easy access to water meters located on their property. Easy access to the water meter enables City Public Works Employees to read your meter, perform repairs, and to turn the water off in the event of a leak or other water emergency.

Other Utility Services in the area: